FADE IN:
INT. living room - chicago suburbs - dAY
It's around five in the morning although it's still dark. It's mid-March and the rain is pouring outside. 
The room is dark, lit only by the lights of the TV. The place is fairly clean but looks like it hasn't been picked up in a couple days.
In the bedroom, MARVIN JONES, white, early forties, sleeps. He is tall, dark, handsome, ultimately cool. Next to the bed the clock reads 4:59. 
The DOOR BELL rings once. Then twice. Then Marvin opens his eyes and looks at the clock. Finally a series of KNOCKS gets him slowly out of bed, as he is wearing just a wife beater and boxers.
Marvin opens the door and on the porch stand three well-dressed men with a few suitcases, all wearing sunglasses amid the rain. 
The short man in front is TOMMY PINETTI. He's about thirty-five, cocky, good-looking and well-groomed, talks fast.
The other two are much taller than Tommy Pinetti. STEVIE is the young buck, over six feet and thick, mean motherfucker, but acts like a goof. The other guy, LOU, is about forty, cool and calm.
tommy
Marvin, hey. Just in time. Good morning. Did I wake your ass up?
mARVIN
No, you didn't. I was already up.
tOMMY
Sure you were. How you been?
mARVIN
You know, so so. 
tOMMY
So so? That sounds like the same old Marvin. Hey, Marvin, you know Lou and this is Stevie. 
Marvin raises his tired brows at the guy who does a funny little salute. 
Tommy and the guys stand on the porch, just out of reach from the menacing rain, smiling at Marvin. Marvin slowly gets the picture.
mARVIN
Uh...you want to come in for a minute? Have some coffee or something?
tOMMY
You guys wanna come in for a minute?
lOU
Why not?
sTEVIE
Yeah, sure.
tOMMY
Yeah, why not? For a minute. Look at this shit out here, Marvin. Pissing like a fucking horse.
mARVIN
Yeah, it's been like this all week. 
Marvin moves to the side and the three men casually walk in as Marvin looks outside, checks the rain, sees the black Cadillac Escalade parked outside and shuts the door.
Tommy and the two men look around the place. Marvin is a little embarrassed. 
mARVIN (CONT'D)
Sorry. Wasn't really expecting any company, ya know?
tOMMY
It's fine. Feels familiar. Mind if I have a seat?
mARVIN
No, go ahead. Just sit wherever. Make yourselves comfortable. 
The two guys, Stevie and Lou, walk over to the couch when Tommy stops them.
tOMMY
Actually, fellas, why don't you fix up some coffee and maybe some toast or something. Butter and some jelly maybe. You got any of that, Marvin?
mARVIN
Uh, yeah sure. Just help yourselves. I'm not really hungry yet but if you want to serve up anything, you're more than welcome.
tOMMY
I just didn't really have a chance to eat. I'm always on the go. You know what I'm saying?
mARVIN
Yeah, I do. Exactly.
Lou and Stevie walk into the kitchen, only separated from the living room by a jutted out wall and a bar-like counter space. The guys fish around for some food in the cupboards and refrigerator.
tOMMY
So what's up with your woman, man? That little cute chica with that badass brother in Columbia? I haven't seen her face in ages.
mARVIN
Nah, things didn't quite work out like I planned.
tOMMY
What, did you fuck her sister?
mARVIN
I wish. No, I think she found a couple skeletons in my closet, kind of hit too close to home. Scared her, I think. So
she decided to split, jacked all my shit. Haven't seen or heard from her since. That was something like three months ago.
tOMMY
What did she take?
Marvin reenacts his reactions to his missing possessions.
mARVIN
Oh shit, she must have had a fucking U-Haul come up and pack my stuff away. 
tOMMY
Like what?
mARVIN
My leather love seat, she took it. My guitars, my Strat and my Gibson, both fairly expensive and classic models, she swiped 'em.
tOMMY
Oh shit.
mARVIN
My stereo, my flat screen, my whole DVD and CD collection, all of my vinyls, and I mean all, my entire porno collection including my nude Marilyn Monroe posters, my fucking microwave, a bunch of my clothes...
tOMMY
Aw, man. That bitch. Fucking country spick. And for what you did for her. She touch your stash?
mARVIN
She knows better, man.
tOMMY
What a fucking broad, this bitch. The nerve she must have had. Telling you, Marvin, these fucking beaner bitches are bad news, man. I mean, she was a hot babe, you know I always thought so, but what a fucking cunt. You don't fuck with a man's porno collection. That's next to his weed and his guns. 
mARVIN
Yeah, well. She was a decent chick. Beautiful, sexy, engaging. We had some fun. It was good for a while.
Lou starts to brew up some coffee. Stevie fishes around in the freezer and finds some frozen mushrooms to his delight. He shows them to Lou.
lou
Put 'em back, Stevie.
sTEVIE
Fuck that.
Stevie looks to see if Marvin is watching, which he's not, so Stevie pockets the small sack.
tOMMY
You know, you don't settle down, leave some sort of pride and joy, I guarantee you'll regret it. I got four of my own and at least one of 'em is gonna do big things in this world. You're never too old to spread your seed. Remember that, Marvin.
mARVIN
I don't think so. If I was gonna have kids, I would have had a bunch by now. I'm forty-three, Tommy. It's not really something I've been preparing for.
tOMMY
Sure, sure. You're a different kind of man. No less, of course.
Marvin, very drowsy, gazes at the TV. Tommy stares at Marvin with a smile.
tOMMY (CONT'D)
So, Marvin, listen. Aside from all the bull shit, small talk and what not, I didn't just show up to break your balls over your woman trouble.
mARVIN
Oh you didn't?
tOMMY
Nah, man. I can do that anytime. Listen...I got something for ya. Something big, man. Something that, when I first heard, I immediately thought of you. I said, this is Marvin Jones territory right here and I'll be damned if he ain't just biding his time waiting for an opportunity like this. That's what we figured you was doing. Staying away like a goddamn vampire for so long. I know you had your reasons. I don't blame you.
mARVIN
Been a little out of the loop, I guess.
tOMMY
It's all good now, Marvin. See...I'm not talking about the usual narc shit or a family nuisance. I mean, I got that for ya, too. It's right here with me. But I'm talking about the end of the rainbow, my friend. I mean, I was fucking salivating on the way over here just to be the first guy to bring you the news. 
Marvin looks at him with a tired interest, waiting for a reply.
mARVIN
Okay, what is it?
tOMMY
How's your car running?
mARVIN
Not as good as it should.
tOMMY
You been to New Orleans lately, Marvin?
mARVIN
Nah, never been. Why?
tOMMY
That's where the job is. The big easy. You ain't never been there, huh?
mARVIN
Nope. Not yet.
tOMMY
Ah, my god, it's fucking beautiful. The culture, the food, the fucking women they got down there. Fucking French Quarter, man. Like a whole new breed. It's a trip, let me tell you. And after you being so idle the past six months, I think a vacation to one of America's richest cultural getaways is just what you need. On the bayou, man, the Cajun will light your tongue up, I swear. The sounds, the smells, the tastes, the whole shebang. And the Cathedrals. Those churches. The beauty. Made me feel proud to be half Italian, let me tell you. Took over the other half and it has me convinced I'm a full-bred guinea. 
Tommy laughs a little and Lou and Stevie catch on. 
mARVIN
Yeah, I'm a quarter Italian, but sometimes it feels more.
tOMMY
That's right, motherfucker. Just as it should. What else are you?
mARVIN
Lot of shit. Mostly Irish.
tOMMY
Huh. Well listen, Marvin. Cut to the chase, our man's in some serious shit he can't talk or pray his way out of. Now this priest, this very important clergyman, has his little mouthpiece to the ears of a lot of influential people. People that don't sit well with the business of our employer and it's time for his fucking ass to get what's coming to him. 
Tommy gets the briefcase, opens it, grabs a photograph of the clergyman, and hands the picture to Marvin. Marvin gets a good look and then hands it back to Tommy.
mARVIN
How much?
tOMMY
For you? Four hundred thousand. Cash.
mARVIN
Four hundred grand for this guy?
tOMMY
Marvin, this is a bargain-based price for what it would mean to the many businesses, organizations, and families who lead hard and honest lives just to rid this fucker from his place. I can't tell you how many people would benefit. People that don't even know they will benefit. But for your sake, let's just say I personally would be very happy to see his demise, among many of my friends and associates. And my boss, my father. Now, I know you need the money, and I know you would appreciate the offer, so naturally we came to you first.
Lou and Stevie come in the room with some breakfast, coffee and toast. They sit on either side of Tommy, handing out the coffee.
tOMMY (CONT'D)
Thanks, guys. Looks good. 
Marvin sits back, watching Tommy sip the coffee, bite into the toast, handing over the suitcase to Marvin.
tOMMY (CONT'D)
Go ahead, take a quick read-through, see if it sparks your interest.
mARVIn
It's political, huh?
tOMMY
Yeah, big time.
mARVIN
I hate politics.
tOMMy
I don't blame you. Getting tied up in government shit, last thing anybody wants.
Marvin looks through the case only once, not even really reading anything, more or less getting an estimate of how many pages there are.
mARVIN
There's a lot of shit here.
tOMMY
Well, that's the thing. See, this guy's in New Orleans, but we need you to make a few stops along the way. And you ain't the type to be leaving no bread crumbs neither. The others are just the usual run of the mill business. The big one's this guy. 
mARVIN
Never killed a priest before.
tOMMY
Never usually need a reason to.
mARVIN
I'm Catholic, Tommy. Through and through. 
tOMMY
Yeah, I know. Me, too.
MARVIN
And this is the sort of thing that might take some explaining to do at those pearly gates. Not that I intend to be there, but I'm still holding out for a chance to share my side of the story.
tOMMY
Okay, look, Marvin. You want details on this guy? I can get you anything you need. I can get you the fucking Ken Burns treatment of this guy's history, complete with home movies and diaries and anything else to bring him to his knees. If you want the scoop, I'd be happy to give it to ya. You want to know what he did? What he really does, this fuck? What kind of business, professional and personal, he is currently involved with? 'Cause I'd be glad to spill it, if you want to know.
mARVIN
I'm curious, but I don't want to know.
tOMMY
Marvin...you're the only one I can trust on this. Nobody can do this like you. Not this serious of an assignment. No way. I mean, if it was here in Chicago, maybe. If it was somewhere close be, maybe. If it was somebody with less prestige, maybe. But it's not. This is big time. It's all you, Marvin. And you know it.
Marvin takes a deep breath. All three guys sit there quietly staring at him, waiting for an answer.
mARVIN
Well...this is a load of shit to be handed in the morning. Just give me a second.
tOMMY
Oh sure, take your time. But uh...just one more thing. See, it's a high profile deal. There's bound to be more than one party down there waiting to start some shit. So in the event that you do this, when we hand you the money and this guy's bled his heart dry, it would be in your best interests to sort of...well...take an even longer vacation, some place away from the turmoil. 
mARVIN
I should go away for awhile?
tOMMY
Yeah.
mARVIN
For good?
tOMMY
For good? Eh...that's your judgment call. But it probably would be for the best. 
mARVIN
Hmm. I see. A parting gift.
tOMMY
A parting gift. Exactly.
More thinking, rubbing his chin.
tOMMY (CONT'D)
Everything you need is in that suitcase, the numbers are all as close as humanly possible, some of course are sketchy, but that's the way it goes. All the contact information, the addresses and alternative hot spots, some brief background info, which I know you intend to skip.
mARVIN
I don't pay attention to any of that. Names and numbers.
tOMMY
Right, well...like I said. There's also my mobile phone number, the main office line in case you can't get a hold of my cell, and you can always leave a message, either way works. Chances are I'll be calling you a lot more than you will me, just to check up and make sure everything's in order. All the specifics are included in the separate folder on the deacon, which you need to pay close attention to. A map is also included of New Orleans for your convenience and highlighted are the deacon's main areas of contact. Marvin, you need to read these instructions like this priest reads his Bible. Well...maybe a little better than that. Right, guys.
Tommy laughs it off to himself. Marvin sifts through the packet of papers again, pulling out the map of New Orleans.
lOU
Think of it as a road trip, Marvin.
tOMMY
That's right. It's a road trip. This is your itinerary. The first one's not far from here, and then it's connect the dots till you reach the end. Also, there's the hotel we'll be staying at when you get to New Orleans. We'll contact you in your room moments after the ordeal so we can hand you your money and get you the fuck out of there and off into the sunset. Because after this is sewn shut, they will trace you and your connections will be at risk if you pursue them.  
Marvin checks the map quickly, folds it back up, neatly places it into the suitcase, and shuts the case. He looks over at the three eager men.
mARVIN
It sounds like a good catch. Very concise, organized, relatively limited risk...very tempting, considering the tag. I'm honored that you have chosen me for this, Tommy. Everything seems to be in order, but it's five o'clock in the morning and I just need a second to let my brain catch up to my gut.
tOMMY
What is it? Don't want to kill a priest?
MARVIN
No, no. Nothing like that.
tOMMY
Well, then what?
mARVIN
Just sort of a family situation.
tOMMY
So let's talk. We're as good as family. What's the deal, Marvin? You can tell me anything.
MARVIN
Well...it's just my niece. She's twenty-four. She's getting married in June. I mean, she's not like me or you. She's good, you know? Pure. Angelic. She is so gorgeous and full of such radiant joy for life, it's unbelievable. She's beautiful. She is the ray of sunshine in my life, no question. I wouldn't have a damn thing to look forward to if it wasn't for her achievements. She's a special girl. And I know how much it would mean to her to have me there, on her wedding day. Her pops wasn't ever really there for her, so I almost look at her as my own daughter. She's close to my heart. To never see her in that white dress, to never see her again, well...that's just a lot to think about all of a sudden. You kind of caught me off guard. 
Tommy nods his head, looks over at his two guys and they have a signal of agreement.
tOMMY
Believe me, I understand, Marvin. I feel for you there. That's blood talking. That one positive influence in your life and it makes you feel like you're worth something. And then she must look at you with the hope and belief that she can still find a way to turn things around for you, some how, some way. It's a beautiful thing. And there are few personal moments in a young woman's life that she can share with her father, and perhaps her wedding day is the creme de la creme.
Marvin smiles at Tommy with a common understanding.
tOMMY (CONT'D)
But she'll get over that shit. Listen, Marvin. I don't mean no disrespect. But frankly, this is four hundred grand. And in this day in age, money matters. If you wanted, you could give her a hefty cut, anonymously of course, or there's even the possibility of having us keep a portion of it for her when you disappear.
Marvin looks down and thinks about the idea, looks back up at Tommy with a uncertain look.
tOMMY (CONT'D)
Look, Marvin. I know you love her and all, but this is more important. I can understand if you don't agree with me right now. But just think of it. She's getting married, starting a family, all that planning for the child, those student loans, credit card debts, car payments, house payments, and if she wants a minivan or a SUV for the children, those fucking gas prices, man. Unbelievable. What is it, like three or four bucks some places? It's just stupid. The costs just stack up and that's just the first couple years. It's amazing how easy one honest everyday American can find himself in debt with just a simple "I do."
Marvin nods his head in agreement.
tOMMY (CONT'D)
So what do you say?
mARVIN
Where do I sign?
tOMMY
Right on. Stevie, hand him the contract. Oh, and cough over that grand. Your gas and living expenses, and by living I do include leisure time, should be covered right there.
Stevie gets the document out of the case and hands it to him along with the stack of bills.
mARVIN
Thank you. You got a pen?
stevie
No, I don't.
tOMMY
You need a pen? Huh? Lou, you got a pen on you?
lOU
Uh...let me check.
tOMMY
Let's get the man a fucking pen, for Christ sakes. 
Lou reaches into his jacket and grabs a pen and clicks it, gives it to Marvin. Marvin scans the document, reading it, the three guys watching him read it.
tOMMY (CONT'D)
If you have any questions, let me know.
Then Marvin signs the bottom. Twice. Then prints his name.
mARVIN
Need the date?
tOMMY
Probably not, but go ahead and scratch it in there if you want.
Marvin fills it out completely and hands it over to Tommy. Tommy rips off the top sheet and gives Marvin a copy.
tOMMY (CONT'D)
For your records.
mARVIN
Thank you.
tOMMY
This is beautiful. This is a beautiful fucking day. Look at that fucking rain. And it's the start of a beautiful enterprise, I can feel it. Can't you?
mARVIN
Yeah, that and I got a slight hangover.
tOMMY
Let's celebrate, how about it? Stevie, break out that cigar. That blunt you rolled. Let's have a victory smoke.
Stevie pulls out the blunt.
tOMMY (CONT'D)
Oh and I need you to leave tomorrow. Fuck around all you want, do your thing, but be in New Orleans at this hotel on the 23rd. That's this Sunday.
Stevie passes the blunt. Tommy lights it up and takes a puff, filling his lungs and then the dimly lit room with a waft of thick smoke.
The guys take turns passing around the blunt, relaxing. Tommy looks at the TV. Sportscenter. Highlights from the NCAA tournament.
tOMMY (CONT'D)
Telling you, man. You're gonna have fun. I wish I was going along with you. I'll be down there later, but I think this is gonna be cathartic for you. I heard you ain't been getting out much.
mARVIN
Here and there. You know, every once and a while.
tOMMY
Yeah? You been watching the tourny at all?
mARVIN
Some. Not really, though.
tOMMY
Aw, man. Illinois's got this kid, Gerald Elliot, you heard of him?
mARVIN
Uh huh. Vaguely.
tOMMY
This fucking kid, man. He can play. And he ain't like these other fucking college kids. Standing on the three-point line, passing around the ball like a fucking hot potato, waiting for somebody with balls to throw it up. No, this kid, this Gerald Elliot, he's a wild fuck, man. Like Barkely in his days at Auburn. This fucking kid is an animal. Just tears up the court. Gimme the ball, he says, and get the fuck out the way. Look out for Illinois.
mARVIN
You sound like you might've played some ball back in the day.
lOU
He was first team point guard.
mARVIN
Really? I didn't know that.
tOMMY
Charles Fredericks High. Class of eighty-seven.
mARVIN
Charles Fredericks High? That sounds strangely familiar.
tOMMY
We were good. We've had some pro players, none of marquee status. We had this one kid, James Lucas. Almost went pro. If I would have worked a little harder, I could have been right there, too.
sTeVIE
Is that the truth?
tOMMY
Fucking A. 
lOU
Right out of high school, Tommy?
tOMMY
Absolutely. I was the Pinetti Spaghetti.
sTeVIE
Why? 'Cause you always had a wet noodle?
tOMMY
No, you stupid fuck. It's 'cause I had some big fucking balls and I was limber and packed plenty of sauce. No, actually I don't know why they called me that, they just did. But I was in the papers. Could've got signed.
lOU
You're shitting me?
tOMMY
Nope. It's a fact. Go back, look it up. I was there.
sTEVIE
How come you didn't go pro?
tOMMY
Too short. And I'm Italian.
lOU
You lost your dream right then and there?
tOMMY
No, that wasn't my dream. My real dream was to be rich and powerful and feared by many, which I am.
lOU
Just like your father and his father before you and so on.
Tommy looks over at Lou with a serious glare, as they pass the blunt around, filling the room with a fat cloud.
toMMY
What are you saying to me, exactly?
lOU
What? About what?
tOMMY
Just now. About my fathers. You saying I'm like some fucking English prince, like I just wake up with the crown?
lOU
What? No that's not what I'm saying.
Stevie gets up with the blunt and walks over to Marvin with it.
sTEVIE
Can you finish that roach off? Let's see it.
tOMMY (to lou)
You know I work hard for my standard of living. I haven't missed a day of work since I was a kid. I kiss my mom twice a day. I make sure the family is safe. That's not an easy job. Family security. Not to mention, I keep your families safe. You can thank me whenever.
lOU
Yeah, that's what I meant. You pass the tradition along, keep your family strong.   
sTEVIE
Hey, Marvin. I bet you're a real stoner. A real Jorge Cervantes. You know who he is?
mARVIN
No, I don't.
sTeVIE
He's like the stoner's Martha Stewart.
lOU
Tommy, listen. I'm not saying you was born with a silver spoon. I mean, you got some help. Everybody knows that. And even though I've known your father actually longer than you have, I know that you work real --
tOMMY
Whoa, whoa, whoa. What the fuck did you say to me?
lOU
What? When?
tOMMY
Just now. How long have you known my father?
lOU
Since I was three. So I've known him longer. But I was just saying, I watched you work for your keep. I grew up with you. I'm proud of you.
Marvin finishes the blunt.
stEVIE
Like a pro. You got a bowl to load? Check out this pipe I got, man. This is awesome.
Stevie pulls out the pipe from his pocket and shows Marvin who nods his head. The room now is full of smoke after one fat blunt, and everybody is feeling the effects.
tOMMY
You're saying you've known him longer, in other words better, like you're some son he never had, that's what you're trying to tell me. Like I'm a fuck up, I squander the authority, like I'm some fucking Fredo motherfucker, that's pretty much what I hear. Some day, maybe I stab you in the back, that what you think?
lOU
That's not what I'm telling you, Tommy. Relax. I just meant -- 
tOMMY
No, I know what the fuck you meant. It was a Freudian switch. That's what.
lOU
Freudian slip.
tOMMY
I know exactly what you're doing, you fucking piece of -- you're trying to question my authority. You're questioning my ability to do what I do because I happen to be related to a long line of powerful men. Like maybe I'm gonna fuck up soon and it's gonna cost you something, that's what you're really telling me.
Marvin and Stevie smoke another bowl, watching Tommy and Lou go at it.
LOU
Hey, listen, goddamnit. You need to calm the fuck down, Tommy. Jesus Christ. You're acting like a fucking kid. Nobody said you couldn't do your job right, so stop spitting in my face, calm your nerves, and just chill the fuck out. 
Tommy pulls back with a shocked look. He turns to Marvin and Stevie like, "can you believe this guy?"
Then Tommy pulls out a gun and stands up, over Lou. He FIRES two shots into his kneecaps, causing Lou to fall to the ground, moaning and embracing his legs.
tOMMY
You fucking ungrateful swine. How you like that? Look at you now, with those bad knees. I bet that hurts.
sTEVIE
Whoa, what the fuck is this all about?
mARVIN
Tommy...Jesus. Look what you did.
Tommy changes his face, realizes Lou didn't deserve such a thing, and he kneels down beside him.
tOMMY
Ah shit, Lou. I'm sorry. I didn't mean that. I'll have you fixed up, send you to Miami, we'll get you nice and pampered for a couple weeks. 
Lou's response is an anguished face.
sTeVIE
Here, Tommy. You should hit this.
tOMMY
Yeah, okay. I don't know what I was thinking. Gimme that pipe. I need to calm my nerves a bit.
Tommy sits down on the couch, starts to smoke the pipe. Stevie, Tommy, and Marvin smoke and watch TV, not really paying attention to Lou, squirming on the floor.
tOMMY (CONT'D)
Hey, Marvin, you mind if we chill here a while? 
mARVIN
Nah, man. Leave when you feel like it. Whenever's clever. 
sTEVIE
Hey, what about Lou?
mARVIN
Yeah, he's bleeding a little.
sTEVIE
Think he's hurting, Tommy.
tOMMY
He'll be okay for a minute. The pot helps dull the pain. Didn't you know that?
They sit there immersed in the glow of the TV, stoned and transfixed, watching basketball.
iNT. marvin's house - next day
Marvin showers, gets himself ready for the day, shaves in front of the mirror, very precise, combs his hair, suits himself up, without a tie, business-like nonetheless.
He walks into the closet, takes out some clothes, packs them into the suitcase neatly, methodically. 
He grabs another suitcase, lays it on the bed. Goes to his closet, pulls out his guns.
He lays down his weapons, couple handguns, a shotgun, a rifle, a scope, silencer, attachments, couple boxes of bullets, lays everything out.
He rubs down the guns, puts them into the suitcase and zips it up, leaving just the 9mm and a big fucking hunting knife, which he straps on his leg.
Then he heads into the kitchen, fixes some breakfast, watches TV, puts down his 9mm, which he carries on him at all times, picks up his bong, has a few tokes, sets it down, continues to eat.
He puts on his shoes, grabs his black leather jacket, straightens himself out, checks the mirror, goes to brush his teeth.
He comes back to the kitchen, gets into the cupboard and pulls out his narcotics.
On the kitchen table he lays out the drugs. First the weed. Little baggies of green, some joints, a blunt or two, a pipe, some papers, a few lighters, all into the suitcase. Then he sees the bong.
He picks up the glass bong, about a foot long, and tries to find a way to neatly place it in the suitcase. But the bong is awkward and too large, and to his dismay, he sets it aside.
He gets into the white powder, couple bags of dope, some Heroin, some mixed shit, needles and syringes, a torch, a small handheld bong, like a travel kit, all neatly organized.
Next he grabs his prescription pills, different names on the bottle, sets them down. Grabs his suitcase, neatly organizes the drugs, stashes them on the bottom. He slips a cover over the drugs, sets some documents on top as filler, and shuts the case.
Restless, he paces about the room. He sits down, rails a couple of lines of coke, stands back up, and paces quietly.
Finally he goes into his bedroom, lays out the suitcase of drugs on the bed, next to his guns, his clothes, and his assignment. He sits down on the bed, grabs his Bible, and reads.
He reads a sentence or two and then the door bell rings. Anxiously, a bit rattled, he gets up and walks to the front door.
Opening it, he looks around, dropping his head to the small black KID on the porch with a green jacket and a white box in both hands. The kid is around nine or ten.
Marvin looks at the kid suspiciously, looks around the neighborhood, the rain letting up, then at the kid who just beams.
mARVIN
Yeah, what?
kid
Want a chocolate?
mARVIN
What's in it?
kID
Depends on the one you choose. Some have solid chocolate, some have caramel, some have coconut, some have almonds, some have --  
mARVIN
Okay, I get it. What, did you poison them?
kID
No.
mARVIN
You sure? You didn't accidently slip some ricin or some fucking anthrax in these things, did you?
The kid doesn't say anything, just smiles. Marvin observes him, trying to see through him.
mARVIN (CONT'D)
All right.
Marvin reaches out and picks one, chews it, tastes it, staring right at the kid.
kID
Want another?
mARVIN
Ain't finished with this one yet. Who are you with anyhow? Boy scouts, cub scouts, little league, some church group?
kID
Nope. If you want the whole box, it's forty bucks. Half a box is twenty. If you just want that one you ate, it's a dollar.
mARVIN
Are you kidding me? Forty bucks for a box of chocolates? If the rest of those chocolates aren't ten times better than this one here, I'd say you're ripping people off, kid.
kID
You didn't look at the bottom yet.
mARVIN
The bottom of what?
kID
The bottom of the box.
Marvin checks the kid's expression, looking for a change, but he just smiles. Then Marvin looks under the black container and underneath are two bags of weed.
Marvin looks at the kid with a fatherly disdain.
kID (CONT'D)
Those are both 1.9.
mARVIN
1.9? Goddamn it, kid. This is the third time you've tried to sell me some shit. Now I'm serious. Stop selling drugs or I'm gonna have your ass tailed from your house to school, all around the neighborhood, every day somebody's gonna watch what you do, what you eat, where you piss, everything. Got it?   
The kid just smiles. Marvin reaches out and grabs his wallet, gets out a one-hundred dollar bill, hands it to the kid, swipes the chocolates.
The kid is in awe of the money, holding it up like it's a golden ticket.
mARVIN (CONT'D)
Now who the hell put you up to this? I want names, kid. Descriptions at least. Who is it?
kID
Nobody. I thought of it myself.
mARVIN
What? How many times -- 
kID
This is the last time, I swear.
mARVIN
Listen, take that money, go back to your mama, have her put it in a jar. You know what I'm saying? Maybe in a safe or a bank. In ten years, you'll appreciate it. 
kID
Fuck that. I'm getting a bike.
The kid hops off, crosses the street and skips off into the distance. Marvin shakes his head with a grin and goes back inside, shutting the door.
eXT. maRVIN'S HOUSe - DAY
The streets are filled with rain, but it has stopped falling from the sky. The garage door opens slowly, revealing a 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle, Apple Green paint job, a slick shine, the back lifted six inches, chrome wheels, newly built interior made of velvet, beautiful and powerful.
Marvin opens the trunk, puts the last two suitcases in, and shuts it. He gets into his car, checks the mirrors, grabs one of his personally made CD's, marked "Soul Classics Vol. 1" and slides it into the receiver.  
He turns the key, it starts to turnover but gives up. He waits a minute. Tries it again, same no luck. Puts it in neutral, same result. He checks his watch. Then he pops the hood.
He gets out, looks around the neighborhood to see if anybody is watching, sort of fiddles around the inside, fucks with a particular wire, then goes back to the driver's seat.
This time, the car starts up, and he smiles, and the music blasts through the garage as his Chevelle motors its way out of the driveway and down the empty street.
iNT. maRVIN'S car - DAY
Marvin's car is sleek and beautiful in the ugly inner streets. He gets looks from everybody, the kids, the elderly, the soccer moms, the girls. Everybody. With his black jacket and his awesome hot rod, he strolls the streets in style.
He goes from one spectrum of the city to the next, downtown Chicago, the slums, the businesses, the six figure estates, the whole shebang.
He pulls onto the freeway and makes his way north. He takes a quick exit and pulls onto a long, nearly abandoned highway, full of old auto shops and train tracks and down through the trailer parks, where his Chevelle calmly rests across the street.
He checks his watch, waits for a minute. Pulls out a pack of gum, pops in a piece and starts chewing. He checks his hair in the mirror, it's all in order, so he just waits.
He looks across the street at the trailer. Outside is an old beat up Ford with no windshield and a dog in the bed, chained to the side of the truck.
There is little or no activity in the street or otherwise the neighborhood. 
Marvin grabs his 9mm, looks around, checks the clip, puts it to his side. He checks his watch again, and just as he is about to open the door, he spots a black van in his side mirror.
The van is something out of the A-team, not as equipped but equally cool. The van drives past Marvin slowly, takes a U-turn down the block, and just one house down, across the street, the van parks.
Marvin watches the activity closely, trying to look through the windows to peek who's inside.
Finally, the driver gets out. It's a kid of about 21 or 22, cut-off sleeves, clearly wearing a bullet proof vest, packing a shotgun, cargo camouflage pants, thick boots, biker gloves showing the fingers, a short pony tail in back, a goatee and a fat smile.
Then, the others get out. Marvin recognizes the motley crew. They look like the cast of "Dog: Bounty Hunter." The head guy, however, is short and squatty, skin a mean red, muscles bulging, sunglasses, shorts, tank top, and a big fucking magnum in his hands like he's Dirty Harry.
The rest follow the leader up to the trailer, quietly, softly, then barge in like a wrestling match. Marvin watches the trailer move from its foundation, rocking back and forth.
A few moments of yells, loud crashes, a ruckus that is certainly exaggerated, and then out comes the gang.
The culprit is a young kid with his shirt off, skinny as a toothpick, no shoes, shaggy hair, tweaked out.
The bounty hunters are jovial and excited, as if they just got out of a Bon Jovi concert.
They take the kid to the van and they all get in. Marvin shakes his head, mumbles to himself the bad news, and watches the van slowly pull off and drive down the road.
Marvin thinks to himself, looks into the rear view mirror, watching the van descend. He gets out, goes to his truck, opens it, pulls out his shotgun, and loads the gun.
Then he shuts the trunk and walks back to his car. He tries to start it but once again, it won't start. He laughs to himself.
mARVIN
Come on, don't fuck with me. 
He checks in his rear view mirror, watching the van drive down the long stretch of highway, slowly getting out of view.
mARVIN (CONT'D)
Fucking piece of shit.
He pops the hood, checks the van, quickly fiddles with some wires, shuts the hood, sits down, and like clockwork, the Chevelle is up and running.
It literally only takes a couple seconds for Marvin to go from parked to about 95, as the van descends down the empty highway.
Marvin slows down as he approaches the van, pulling up behind it, neglecting any suspicious activity.
iNT. van - dAY
The music is loud, the energy is pumped up, everybody's fucking singing along, paying no attention to anything, especially not Marvin.
iNT. marvin's car - DAY
Marvin decides to pull alongside the van. He grabs his shotgun, sticks it out the passenger window, and just as the young driver comes to and sees the gun pointed at him, he ducks, the SHOT firing right into the passenger, a fat woman who takes it right in the face.
Almost simultaneously, milliseconds after Marvin fires the shot, kills the fat woman, he puts on the breaks just as the young kid, in an attempt to derail Marvin's Chevelle, makes a hard left with the steering wheel, thinking Marvin is alongside him.
However, the van does a harsh rollover, several times until it finally rests upright, off the side of the road, in a ditch. 
The Chevelle slowly pulls up to the scene of the accident. Marvin gets out quickly.
eXT. rural highway - same
Everybody's bleeding, the driver is hyperventilating so Marvin takes him out with one shot from his 9mm. He opens the sliding door and sees one guy on the floor, passed out. Marvin makes sure he's dead with one shot.
Then he sees the boss man, his face bloody, his legs twisted some strange way underneath the seat, and he's coughing up blood. Marvin fires the shotgun into the man.
The only one left is his man. Marvin looks around the van, then sees the side window cracked open, as if somebody had fallen through it, blood on the glass.
Marvin walks around the side of the van, looks for the kid, then sees him limping off into the country grass, all cut up, handcuffed, moving pretty fast considering the circumstances.
Marvin looks around, doesn't see anybody, so he goes back to his Chevelle and gets in. He pulls off the main highway onto the dirt road, onto the thick grass, and approaches the limping kid.
He sticks his gun out the window when he is alongside the runaway and just as he's about to fire, the kid trips, either on purpose or accidentally.
Marvin stops, gets out, approaches the kid. The kid holds up his hands, pleading.
tweaker
Hey, man. Come on. Don't fucking kill me. I'm not worth it. 
Marvin has no expression, his elbow locked with the gun pointed right between the kid's eyes.
tWEAKER (CONT'D)
Come on, I'll do anything for you, dude. I'll suck your dick, man. I swear. I'll give you anything, man. I got some serious shit, man. It'll fuck you up for weeks. 
Marvin doesn't say anything, sort of waiting for the guy to stop pleading, which he does, looks right at Marvin, tries to figure out who he is.
tWEAKER (CONT'D)
Hey, man. Who the fuck are you anyway? Do I know you?
Marvin smiles and just fires one shot right at the kid's head and down he goes. 
The country is silent after the killing, and Marvin gets into his car, gets out a cigar, lights it up, and drives down the long stretch of highway.
iNT. mARVIN'S CAR - DAY
Marvin relaxes with his cigar and his music, driving down the freeway at an easy speed, a fat smile, shaking his head with slight disbelief, chuckling to himself.
He takes the Gary, Indiana exit, pulling off into the main stretch of the city, rolling through the streets like a smooth wave.
He grabs his cell phone and dials a number, waits, listens to the ringing, then only gets the answer machine. 
mARVIN
Willie, it's Marvin. I'll be there in a couple minutes.
He hangs up the phone and tosses it aside.

eXT. apartments - DAY
Marvin pulls up to the curb, gets out, hides his 9mm in his side, and walks up to the entrance.
iNT. aPARTMENTS - DAY
He goes down to the right door, looks around, knocks loudly. A few seconds go by and he repeats the knocks, little louder. Nothing. He thinks he hears something and puts his ear to the door, listening. The door opens quickly. 
willie
Hey motherfucker, what you think you're -- 
The shotgun is pointed right into Marvin's face, double barrel. 
WILLIE is in his early thirties, black, skinny, average height for a man, short for an old washed up baller. He has a white T-shirt, a gold chain, a fat goatee, and a bald head.
He puts down the shotgun, takes a puff of his cigarette. Loud hip hop blares from inside. Marvin smiles at him and Willie shrugs his shoulders.
wILLIE (CONT'D)
Oh hey, man. What's up? Shit. You ever heard of a phone, man?
mARVIN
I called you five minutes ago, you stupid fuck. 
wILLIE
I didn't hear no ring. 
mARVIN
Really? That's odd.
Marvin looks at him with a glare and Willie lets him slip inside. Immediately Willie looks down the hallway, sees a woman with a towel in her hair.
wILLIE
Oh, hey Mrs. Morris. This is a toy, ya know. It's a fucking kid's toy. Don't you worry about nothing. This is uh...he's my old roommate, come back to stay with me.
She doesn't buy a single word of it.
wILLIE (CONT'D)
No, I'm serious. He's just come by to say hello and share some old frat house stories and -- Jesus fucking Christ woman, why the fuck are you always on my goddamn nut sack watching my motherfucking doorway like I'm selling crack? Ain't nobody selling nothing here, bitch, so get your bony ass out my business. Shit.
He slams the door.
iNT. willie's apartment - DAY
Marvin sits on the couch, watching TV already. Willie sits back down at the kitchen table and eats his cereal, reading the paper. It's a small apartment and a small room, as if Marvin could just reach out and touch the kitchen table from the couch.
After a few minutes of Marvin staring at Willie, finally Willie looks up at Marvin.
wILLIE
Well, what?
mARVIN
You wanna know why I'm here?
wILLIE
You want me to set you up with that rock ho down the hall?
mARVIN
No.
wILLIE
All right, man. I give up. What you doing here?
maRVIN
Business as usual.
wILLIE
Well if it was anything other than that, I'd have to start thinking you was my friend. 
mARVIN
You got a bowl, Willie?
wILLIE
Yeah.
mARVIN
Let's smoke. Maybe some OJ if you got any.
Willie stops and gives him a strange look.
mARVIN (CONT'D)
What?
wILLIE
Nothing, man. Shit. You don't even say hello to me? 
Willie gets up, walks to the refrigerator, gets some juice that isn't quite orange or yellow. In fact, it's almost a light red, like cool aid.
MARVIN
Oh well see I was planning on it, right before you put that fucking shotgun in my face. 
wILLIE
Man, that ain't even loaded.
mARVIN
All right, so how you doing, Willie? How's life? Your kids playing any better?
wILLIE
Bad, shitty, and no, those little kids still ain't learned to play like a team. Same goddamn kids for the past two years and they still ain't learned to share the fucking ball. Especially that Erika. It'd be okay if the girl could shoot. The damn rules say I gotta play everybody equally. You believe that?  
He pours Marvin a glass of OJ and gives it to him, which raises Marvin's brow.
MARVIN
What's this?
wILLIE
Juice.
MARVIN
What kind of juice?
wILLIE
I don't know, man. It's fucking juice. Some tropical fruit. Mango or something.
Willie grabs his pipe, starts to load a bowl.
wILLIE (CONT'D)
Still driving that mean green thing?
mARVIN
Of course.
wILLIE
You park it right outside?
mARVIN
Right in the front.
wILLIE
Man, you got some fucking balls. I don't even know a fucking brotha' that would have the balls to park his shit right there. I had a pinto with two spare tires and they still jacked my ass for parts.
MARVIN
It's probably time to move out.
wILLIE
Yeah, tell me about it, man.
Willie smokes the pipe, hands it to Marvin. They smoke and pass it back and forth casually.
wILLIE (CONT'D)
You want some yeyo? I got a couple grams. Last of the loot. 
mARVIN
No thanks. 
wILLIE
I ain't slinging no more, man. I just keep that on the side. I knew you was coming eventually.
mARVIN
Listen, Willie. I got some business for you. It's very serious. I can't have any fuck-ups, any monkeying around, or any of that goose chase shit. I need your help and I need it pronto.
wILLIE
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold it right there. I ain't even agreed to do whatever the fuck it is you want me to do, so just give it to me straight and maybe I'll think about it and make my decision. Damn.
Marvin takes a big toke, the remainder of the bowl, and hands it back to Willie.
wILLIE (CONT'D)
Goddamn, cuz, you smoke all my shit faster than I do.
mARVIN
Listen, Willie, before you make me forget. I'm going down to New Orleans and I was wondering if you could ride with me. 
Willie loads the pipe back up, thinks about the proposition.
wILLIE
What for?
MARVIN
Business, what else.
wILLIE
Who is it?
mARVIN
Some priest. Forgot his name. Deacon something. 
wILLIE
What? Some priest?
mARVIN
Yeah, and there's a couple stops along the way. I looked through the files, realized if there's one hound that can sniff these guys out, it's you. I got 'em pinpointed pretty much. But the priest ain't gonna be no walk in, walk out like the others. Plus I need some company.
wILLIE
Ahh...that it, huh? You're a lonely motherfucker and you want some companionship. You don't even need my ass. 
maRVIN
No, I do need you.
wILLIE
Yeah, to suck your dick. What happened to that Mexican bitch you was with?
mARVIN
She was Columbian and she left me. Listen...stop dodging the point. I don't have a whole lot of time. I got to be there by Sunday. So is it yes or no?
wILLIE
What's in it for me?
mARVIN
You'll see. It won't be disappointing.
wILLIE
Look here, man. I ain't got time for no fucking road trip. I got a job, five days a week, then I got practice every day after school, then we got this jamboree coming up this weekend. Plus, it's my mama's birthday on Sunday, and I done already missed her last two, so on any other week, I would be happy to help your ass out, but I got some serious shit I got to attend to.
mARVIN
Willie, your mama's birthday ain't till September, your nine to five job pales in comparison to this green I'm talking about here, and you know that worthless team doesn't need you anyway. So come on, get your shit together and let's go.
wILLIE
I am not in the frame of mind to be doing this kind of shit, Marvin. I'm turning a one-eighty, man. Right around. 
mARVIN
As of when?
wILLIE
As of late, man. Now, I ain't saying I found Jesus or nothing, I just can't be doing this shit, man. I've gotten away with far too much and I know any time now, I'm gonna be getting karma's big dick right up my ass. I'm sorry, it's just bad timing, cuz. 
mARVIN
I'll give you thirty percent.
wILLIE
Of what?
mARVIN
One hundred.
wILLIE
One hundred dollars?
mARVIN
No, one hundred percent.
wILLIE
You'll give me one hundred percent?
mARVIN
No, I'll give you thirty percent.
wILLIE
Thirty percent of what?
mARVIN
Four hundred.
wILLIE
Four hundred? Man...get the fuck out of my face with that shit. My rent's barely four hundred. Hundreds is some low numbers to be throwing at niggas these days, Marvin. I mean, I'm a poor nigga, but I ain't no fool. And after all this fucking time, all you gonna give me is thirty percent? All the way down to New Orleans to kill some old crazy motherfucker? You got to be kidding, man. I ain't even scratched the surface of the kind of money problems I been getting into. So if you want to tempt me, motherfucker, you're gonna have to come at me with a lot more than four hundred -- 
mARVIN
Grand.
wILLIE
-- measly fucking dollars, man. I mean, you's old friends and shit, but we talking about the real world, and four hundred in the --
Marvin smiles at Willie. Willie realizes what Marvin said.
wILLIE (CONT'D)
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold up, man. What the fuck did you say?
Marvin just smiles at him. Willie slowly starts to realize Marvin isn't joking. 
wILLIE (CONT'D)
Shit, man. Let's get to it. I don't need to pack. Let's go.
Willie gets up, grabs his shotgun, turns to the door, then a random shot fires through the wood of the front door.
Marvin tilts his head, shaking it at Willie.
wILLIE (CONT'D)
What? I was never gonna shoot you, man. Shit. I was playing. 
iNT. mARVIN'S CAR - DAY
Marvin and Willie ride in the Chevelle on I57, heading south, both nicely baked, windows rolled down, chilling. Willie smokes a cigarette.
wILLIE
Man, first thing I'm getting is a truck. Then I'll get some new clothes, thinking about a new TV, couple guns, couple pounds of bud, couple tickets to Miami, let everybody know I'm gonna be real busy, play it off like a business trip.
mARVIN
Yeah, that will pass. Why don't you pay off your debts, get your mama out of that chicken coop, and get your shit straightened out?
wILLIE
Nah, nah. Not with this money. This is like prize money. I ain't spending prize money on necessities, man. Come on, where's your head at? How much is thirty percent of four hundred grand any way?
mARVIN
It's over a hundred grand. 
wILLIE
Ah, man. That's good money. I thought it would be more than that. How come all I get is thirty? 
MARVIN
Thirty is a lot more than you'll be deserving, Willie. I can guarantee that.
Willie passes it off, turns up the music, listens to it for a minute, displeased he turns it back down.
wILLIE
Look at you, man. Still listening to this old school shit. I mean, it holds up and all, but damn you must burn a hole through this damn CD.
mARVIN
I like it. It matches the scenery. Besides, music that you really love, you love forever. Just like every woman you ever loved. It lasts in your heart, even if it's diminished in size. 
wILLIE
What the hell you talking about? You talking about love? Love. Shit, Marvin. I loved me a girl, Sarah Walker, back in sixth grade. She went off and fucked my boy Miles, ain't seen her since and don't give a fuck anyway, because I learned how to be a man. I learned the bull shit of that love shit. See, that's the difference between me and you. I don't love 'em and leave 'em, I fuck 'em and leave 'em and let 'em think I love 'em just before I leave 'em. 
mARVIN
What about Stacy Green?
Willie stops, gives Marvin a cold look.
wILLIE
Okay, one bitch out of many. That's it. 
MARVIN
When's the last time you saw her?
wILLIE
Two months ago.
maRVIN
Ever get anywhere with her?
wILLIE
How am I gonna get anywhere with her now? Her man don't leave her an inch to move. 
mARVIN
No I mean then?
wILLIE
Then what?
mARVIN
You ever get her to lick your balls?
wILLIE
Fuck no. She wanted me to shave 'em. Fuck that, cuz. My balls get cold at night as is. And she wouldn't put no nut in her big mouth anyway. Even if she guaranteed that she'd suck my balls if I shaved 'em clean, I still wouldn't shave 'em, man.
mARVIN
But you loved her, right?
Willie gives him a funny look, starts to laugh.
wILLIE
Are you getting all serious on me while we're in here chilling?
Marvin chuckles a little.
mARVIN
Yeah, I am. I know you love the girl, so what the hell you waiting for?
wILLIE
See...that's just like you, man. Always thinking like that. Let me tell you how this shit works up in here. Love don't mean a damn thing to a bitch with a man that makes more than you legitimately and still looks better on his worst day. The motherfucker has me beat. I just got to move on.
MARVIN
You treat your feelings worse than you treat your friends.
wILLIE
Whatever, man. 
Willie sits up and looks around the area. 
wILLIE (CONT'D)
Where the fuck we going anyway?
mARVIN
Not far from here.
wILLIE
So where?
MARVIN
Just outside Urbana. Little apartment complex, much like yours. Supposedly he just moved in and has been staying there for three weeks.
wILLIE
All right, well let's get some grub first. 
mARVIN
You just ate.
wILLIE
An hour ago. And you interrupted me. I'm still hungry.
MARVIN
All right, we'll stop real quick.
Marvin exits the freeway, drives a while, turns his music up, kicks back.
lATER
They pull onto a busy street, off into a fast food drive thru and order.
later
Parked outside the restaurant, they eat their food, watching traffic. Willie looks for his food in the bag.
wILLIE
They didn't give me the onion rings, man. 
mARVIN
Oh well.
wILLIE
Shit. I saved them for last, too. Sometimes they get you just what you ordered, but the other nine out of ten times they fuck it up. 
Willie looks over and sees a police car across the street, parked, with the two cops clocking Marvin and Willie.
wILLIE (CONT'D)
Oh shit. It's the police.
mARVIN
Yeah, so?
wILLIE
They're looking right at us, Marvin. It's obvious.
mARVIN
I know. They started following us the minute I got off the exit.
wILLIE
Are you serious? 
MARVIN
What, are you scared of the police?
wILLIE
I ain't scared of nothing, all right? Except maybe you. I just don't like the cops, especially today, seeing how we're just about to kill a motherfucker in a couple minutes.
mARVIN
Yeah, well. Don't worry. If they're still on us after we get to the street, I'll burn 'em. Just relax.
wILLIE
This is only the beginning, too. I knew you were gonna get me into some serious fucking trouble. I knew it. You tricked me, Marvin. You always do this to me, cuz. One way or another.
MARVIN
Hey, hey, hey. Willie...chill out. They're just checking us out, seeing what's up. It's a slow day, middle of the day, it's a small town, I'm driving the badest car they've seen in a while, so they're just making sure everything's all right in the neighborhood, okay?
Marvin takes a big gulp, puts the pop in the bag, turns the key, same old starting problem.
wILLIE
You need to get this fixed. And you're sitting on some bull shit, man. You need some rims.
mARVIN
It's a classic car, Willie. Not a ghetto ride. 
Marvin waits, tries to start the car again.
wILLIE
Seriously, man. You knew you were going on a road trip and you didn't make sure everything was in working order?
mARVIN
They rushed me, all right? 
wILLIE
This is fucking embarrassing. With all these people, those damn cops. You better turn into fucking MacGyver and get this damn ride on its feet.
Marvin gives Willie a stern look, pops the hood, and gets out. 
Marvin looks over at the police quickly, then back under his hood. He plays with the wires a little.
wILLIE (o.c.) (CONT'D)
Marvin. Hey, Marvin. 
mARVIN
What?
wILLIE (O.C.)
They're coming over here, man. Look out.
The police car makes its way across the street, up to the fast food parking lot, and right next to Marvin's car.
They both get out, both the same age, same height, same build, same moustache except one's moustache is brown and the other's is blonde. They approach Marvin, who looks over and gives them a friendly smile.
Willie sits back in his seat, trying to act cool, crushing his joint he was rolling and tosses it under the seat.
blonde cop
Won't start, huh?
maRVIN
Oh, yeah, eventually it will. It's a tricky thing. Got a mind of its own. 
brown cop
This is a real car, man. This is how cars are supposed to look. Look at this paint job. Gorgeous front end.
maRVIN
Yeah it's like my ex wife. Beautiful and smooth on the outside, curvy and plenty of room, but stubborn and cold and nasty on the inside.
They laugh a little. All three stare down at the engine as if it were some fascinating dying animal.
bLONDE COP
I had a car once, would only start if I had the hood popped and I had to shake the fucker exactly five times. 
mARVIN
Really?
bLONDE COP
I'm serious. I don't know a lot about cars, and everybody tells me that didn't have nothing to do with it, but I'm telling you, if I popped the hood, it started, and if I didn't, I wasn't going nowhere. And if I shook it four times or six times, believe me, I was walking to work. 
Willie sits anxiously, trying to see what's going on.
mARVIN
I think it should start now. It's funny that way.
Marvin shuts the hood. He walks around to the driver side.
bROWN COP
Where you guys headed?
mARVIN
To see his grandma in St. Louis. She's in the hospital.
bLONDE COP
She's in the hospital? 
mARVIN
Breast cancer.
The brown cop leans over and looks in at Willie.
bROWN COP
Ah, man. I'm really sorry. Had an aunt with breast cancer. She's okay now, though. Still only got one tit. But I hope your grandma makes it through. We'll pray for her.
wILLIE
Oh, yeah, man. Thanks a lot. She's a tough woman. I'm sure she'll pull through. If not, she's a pretty damn old lady anyway, you know? She had a good life.
The cops smile and back off a little, as Marvin gets into his car.
BROWN COP
Well, you guys have a nice day. Take care of your car, and you...take care of your grandma. 
wILLIE
Yeah, man. You, too.
The cop looks at him funny. Then they get into their cop car, just as Marvin starts up his Chevelle and revs the engine, smiles at the cops, and Marvin takes off.
mARVIN
You just lied about your grandma.
wILLIE
So did you.
mARVIN
She ain't my grandma.
wILLIE
I don't think they believed a word of that shit.
mARVIN
Nah, they didn't.
lATER
Marvin pulls up to the curb outside a fairly small apartment building. Inside the car, Willie fishes for his joint underneath his seat.
wILLIE
Shit, man. I can't find it. I know it's here someplace.
mARVIN
Willie, stop fucking around and listen to me for a second, all right?
wILLIE
Yeah, go ahead. I'm listening.
mARVIN
Forget the joint, you can smoke later.
wILLIE
I like to be in the right state of mind for this shit, Marvin. Otherwise it just ends up fucking with my head.
Willie finds the joint.
wILLIE (CONT'D)
Ah ha, bingo. 
Willie sits back and lights the joint. Marvin looks up into the apartment complex, searches for the room, sees the number on the second floor, towards the end.
mARVIN
So you figure he's alone?
wILLIE
Man, I don't know the guy. He could have a few drinking buddies, a girlfriend, his mama, anybody, man. I ain't got no clue. 
Willie passes the joint to Marvin and he smokes it.
MARVIN
Let's just be prepared for a small army.
wILLIE
All right then, man. Do your thing. Go get him.
Marvin gives Willie a serious look. Willie tilts his head back, blows smoke, chills.
mARVIN
I know I don't have to remind you how I do things.
wILLIE
But you're going to anyway?
MARVIN
Look, Willie. Once again, I'm a professional. I'm not a thug or a gangster. I don't make some talk. This ain't court, they have no side of the story. I get in and get out with as much time on the clock as possible. I don't know these people and they don't know me, and that's how it stays. I don't fish around for items that may tempt me. I don't give a fuck if they got a stash under the bed or behind the dresser in a safe. I'm going down to New Orleans to collect my money and this right here is a side note. Now if anything goes awry and I find myself in a jam, and you appear to be standing between me and my getaway, I will not hesitate to put two in you, you understand? I'm not playing around.
Willie sits up and looks at Marvin with a bit of disgust.
mARVIN (CONT'D)
Now, I'm gonna hand you a gun, but I don't want you to use it unless it is absolutely necessary. I want you off my ass, out of my face, right by the door. You don't say a word to nobody, not even me. I want you to hold this shotgun in your hands right by the door, and I want the gun pointed at the floor unless I tell you otherwise. You got that? 
wILLIE
I can't believe you, man. You act like we ain't never done this shit before.
MARVIN
Oh we've done this before, and if I don't recall you always seem to do one little thing extra that fucks my shit up. I just need you to be cool by the door with the shotgun.
wILLIE
Hey, hey, hey. Just back the fuck off, all right? Don't be worrying about me. I'm worried about you. My nerves is under control.
mARVIN
All right, just keep it cool, then. Now let's go.
wILLIE
Whoa, whoa, hold up. Don't I get like a vest or something?
MARVIN
What for?
wILLIE
What for? Man, to stop stray bullets from piercing my fucking heart and killing my ass, that's what fucking for, bro.
Marvin exhales and gets out of the car, goes to the trunk, comes back with a bullet proof vest, which he tosses at Willie.
wILLIE (CONT'D)
This a bullet proof vest for real?
MARVin
Come on. Put it on and let's do this.
wILLIE
Well, how's it go?
Marvin looks at Willie again with the same disdain. 
wILLIE (CONT'D)
Nah, nah, I got it. It's all good. Here we go.
Willie puts on the vest. Now's he's just got the wife beater, a pair of slacks, and a bullet proof vest.
They get out of the car, look around the area, checking things out, playing it cool.
They head up the stairs and down the hallway. Marvin stops at the door. Number is 11. Willie looks around, more anxious than nervous.
Marvin reaches into his side, pulls out the shotgun, gives it to Willie, who reacts with pride.
Then Marvin grabs the door handle, gently, turns it, and to his surprise  the door is unlocked. He opens it just a crack.
Willie steps back a few paces as Marvin prepares to head inside.
iNT. Apartment - DAY
The room is messy, newspapers, magazines, junk food, fast food, cigarettes and beer, as if it provides a permanent home for a junkie.
Sitting on the couch, smoking a bong, are three young, rich white kids from the burbs. Two boys and a girl. Some music is quietly playing, the TV is on, and the smoke in the room is thick.
Sitting on a recliner, loading a crack pipe, is the main target. His name's JEFFREY and he's in his twenties, black and skinny, baller. 
Marvin enters the hallway, looking into the living room, Jeffrey off to the side and out of view.
Willie stands by the door, watching Marvin quietly sneak into the room.
As Jeffrey hands out the pipe, the one kid reaches for it. Marvin raises his 9mm, silencer and all, and fires one shot, exploding the pipe into a shit load of pieces.
Jeffrey falls back out of the way. The young kids react with shock as Marvin approaches them. Marvin looks at them with interest but his attention switches to the fleeing Jeffrey.
Marvin fires one shot into Jeffrey's arm, as Jeffrey manages to duck down into the hallway and into a room.
Marvin turns over to the shocked three kids, the gun inches from them. 
mARVIN
Is that Jeffrey?
In unison, they nod their heads. Marvin nods his head in agreement, deciding what to do.
mARVIN (CONT'D)
Get the fuck out of here.
Still shocked, they look at each other, unsure of what to do.
MARVIN (CONT'D)
Yeah, I meant now.
Slowly they get up and creep out of Marvin's way, right down to Willie who just scowls at them, allowing them to walk by.
Marvin approaches the hallway with caution. Slowly he heads down, looking into the first room, a bathroom, then moving to the second and last room.
The room is dark, but on the floor is Jeffrey, loading a gun. Marvin watches Jeffrey load a couple rounds, but just as Jeffrey starts to raise the gun at Marvin, Marvin fires one shot into Jeffrey's head. 
Marvin waits a second, looks down at Jeffrey, and then turns. But just as he does, a shotgun BLAST coupled with the sound of BREAKING GLASS causes him to rush to the living room.
Another black guy lays outside, on the balcony, on his back, bleeding from the stomach, moaning.
Marvin looks over at Willie, standing in the living room, shotgun still pointed in the guy's direction, although the drapes block the man from view, the joint still in Willie's mouth.
mARVIN (CONT'D)
Where the fuck was he?
wILLIE
On the balcony, smoking a cigarette.
mARVIN
Why the fuck didn't you tell me?
wILLIE
I didn't see him.
MARVIN
Well go finish the job.
wILLIE
Oh, I got him, man. He's dead.
mARVIN
You sure?
wILLIE
Oh yeah. Blew a shot right into his stomach.
MARVIN
Better go check. And fucking pronto. That wasn't what you call quiet.
wILLIE
You gave me this motherfucker. Didn't you expect me to use it?
Marvin checks Willie, then goes to the balcony. Willie looks around the apartment curiously.
Marvin slides open the shades, sees the guy bleeding, looks around the neighborhood, few onlookers, then down at the guy, just moaning and bleeding. Marvin fires one shot into his head and ducks back inside.
Marvin looks over at Willie, checking things out in the room. 
mARVIN
Come on, let's go.
Marvin brushes by Willie. But Willie sees something. A shoe box, on the floor, newly purchased. Willie's eyes can't look away as he approaches the box.
Marvin, at the door, turns around and sees Willie grabbing the box.
mARVIN (CONT'D)
Willie, let's go. Come on.
Willie opens the box. Basketball shoes.
wILLIE
Ah, man. New Jordys. Classic Jordys. Damn.
mARVIN
Willie, come on. Get the fuck out.
wILLIE
I'm taking these shoes, man. I don't give a fuck what you say. These are brand new.
Willie grabs the box, walks up to Marvin. 
wILLIE (CONT'D)
Don't even say it, man. I know what you're thinking. Let's just fucking go.
Then they walk out.
inT. mARVIN'S CAR - night
On the freeway, they head south by southwest, on I72, heading towards Springfield on their way to St. Louis.
Willie has his feet up, his new shoes on, obviously a couple sizes too big, and he's lounging, puffing away.
Marvin checks his watch. Decides to get off the freeway in Springfield.
wILLIE
Where we going?
mARVIN
Next stop. Grab me that folder in the back seat, will ya?
wILLIE
We just gonna go like this? One to the next, without stopping?
MARVIN
What do you want to stop for? The fastest we get that money, the faster you can waste it.
wILLIE
Well I'm hungry again. And I'm thinking we should get some pussy.
mARVIN
No time for pussy, Willie. This is about business.
wILLIE
You said you had to be there on Sunday. You got plenty of time, man. Let's take a couple hours off, get some food, get some girls. I'm settling for at least half that action, cuz. With or without you.
mARVIN
All right, let's get something to eat first.
iNT. diner - nIGHT
They sit at one of those all night restaurants, about half full, Marvin drinking coffee, Willie smoking a cigarette, waiting for their food to arrive.
wILLIE
Hey, man. That was the first dude I ever killed. Intentionally, I mean.
mARVIN
You didn't kill him, I did.
wILLIE
He was gonna die eventually.
maRVIN
What's that mean, eventually? How long after would he have died? 
wILLIE
Soon, man. You saw his belly.
mARVIN
Yeah, I saw it. And from what I could tell, he had enough time to live. Enough time for the neighbors to call the police, the ambulance to pull up, the stretcher, the IV's, the hospital ride, the overnight visitations from the distraught family, the -- 
wILLIE
All right, whatever. Point is, I'm not usually in that position. It's foreign to me, man. And I'm telling you, man, I don't like it. I ain't no killer.
The WAITRESS comes up and brings them their food. The waitress is some fine little Asian girl, tight pants, tight shirt, gorgeous face.
waitress
Anything else I can do you two for?
mARVIN
No, thank you. It looks delicious.
wILLIE
Yeah, it looks good, ma'am. Thank you.
wAITRESS
Well, let me know if there's anything I can do for you.
mARVIN
Absolutely.
wILLIE
Yeah, we'll holla at you. Definitely.
Then she walks off. Marvin and Willie look at each other. 
wILLIE (CONT'D)
Oh motherfucker, did you see that? Now that is a fine looking girl right there. Beautiful. Did you see that badunkadunk on that little Asian chick?
mARVIN
Unbelievable. Working in a place like this. 
They start to chow down, couple moments of pure eating.
wILLIE
I'm telling you, Marvin. We need to get some girls. Couple Asian girls. Girls just like that.
mARVIN
We're here for a reason.
wILLIE
I know, I know. Trust me, I need me that hundred thousand, Marvin. First I was just thinking about it as a luxury, somebody else's money, but since I blasted that fool earlier, took his Jordy's, I realized something very fundamental about money. So now I been thinking how much I need that money. Actually need, man. I mean, I could take that and exchange it for a whole new setup. You know what I'm saying?
mARVIN
That's exactly what I told you.
wILLIE
Well, see I got this interview last week. This union job. Steel mill. Fifteen bucks an hour, forty, fifty, sometimes sixty hours a week.
MARVIN
No kidding?
wILLIE
Nah, man. 
mARVIN
You get the job?
WILLIE
Well that's the thing, I had the interview last week and they told me they'd be calling me this week to let me know.
mARVIN
Oh yeah? You give 'em your cell phone number?
wILLIE
Yeah, but I didn't bring my phone. I left it back at the house.
mARVIN
You mean the apartment?
wILLIE
Yeah, that's what I said.
mARVIN
Ah, shit. Willie, I'm sorry, man. I'm sure they'll call you next week.
wILLIE
No, they won't. But it's cool. I'm gonna have me a hundred thou'. It's just, this job, this union job, damn I was thinking it would be a clean slate. I been up to no good for so long, it's like I'm just now growing up and accepting my responsibilities as a man. And I got three kids.
MARVIN
Which you never see.
wILLIE
Which I never fucking see. And here I am, with you, the same guy that got me into this business, the same guy that's gonna get me out. 'Cause I swear to you, Marvin, I'm getting that grand and splitting. No more bull shit. Then I'm gonna cover my debts like one big fucking blanket. Then I'm hooking my mama up some, then my kids of course, and then whatever's left I'm using as a deposit for a new place and a new ride.
mARVIN
Good plan. But remember, I only brought you in 'cause I knew you were gonna end up just like your buddy James, rest in peace.
wILLIE
Maybe so. Man, that was a scary fucking day. Fifteen years old and doing my first heroin. And it's a big fucking sack.
mARVIN
Fucking A, it was.
wILLIE
And I'm like, where'd you get this? And he says to me, "I stole it from some bitch-ass white dude." We never thought you'd be coming back for it.
iNT. high school locker room - fifteen years earlier - nIGHT
Two young black kids, dressed in basketball uniforms, sit on a bench in the locker room. Willie and his buddy JAMES. James is a little older than Willie. James holds up the sack for Willie.
YOung wILLIE
Holy shit, what the fuck you doing with that?
wiLLIE (over) 
Then, like some goddamn vampire, out of the shadows this tall, mean motherfucker appears.
Marvin steps in from the side, a gun in his hand, looking down at the kids, who look up like toddlers in deep shit.
mARVIN
Which one of you is James?
The boys look at each other. James is holding the sack and sheepishly cowers.
Marvin fires two shots into the kid and he topples to the floor. He swings the gun over to Willie, right in his face.
wILLIE (OVER)
I never thought you were gonna shoot him, but I was fucking positive you was gonna cap my ass.
Willie shuts his eyes, waiting for the blow that never came.
iNT. dINER - present night
wILLIE
That was the first time I met you. And you gave me a chance to live, which had I known you I would have only appreciated the gesture even more. But I wasn't gonna play ball no more, that's for sure. I wasn't that good anyway. Not like James. We all knew he was going pro. Had game like Ray Allen, only serious D like Bruce Bowen. He was up and down the court. Could do everything. He was an animal. Loved the game. Just pure knowledge.  
mARVIN
I was whacked out in the head, Willie. Not just in those moments, but at that stage of my life.
wILLIE
Oh yeah? So this is what you call an improvement?
mARVIN
Yeah. The Marvin back then would have shot all three of those rich kids today. Baby steps, Willie. I admit, I'm a bad guy, but I'm not a monster. After this priest, I'm as good as done. It's a promise.
wILLIE
Yeah, well. Something else you don't know.
mARVIN
What?
wILLIE
I was the one who stole that bag. Not James. 
Marvin tilts his head, Willie starting to crack a smile.
wILLIE (CONT'D)
And you ended up shooting him 'cause he had the fucking bag in his hands.
Willie starts to laugh, a little too much, then Marvin joins in with him, and then slowly they wind down.
wILLIE (CONT'D)
Shit, man. That's funny. Ultimately tragic, but funny nonetheless.
Willie quickly erases the smile and eats his food in solemn silence. Marvin watches him eat.
iNT. mARVIN'S CAR - NIGHT
Willie stares out the window, smoking a cigarette.
mARVIN
So you still want to get some action?
wILLIE
Yeah, sure. But I was thinking of something special. No fucking hood rats, you know what I'm saying? Some classy white bitches, big titties, itty bitty waists, some little bouncing bunnies. What you think?
mARVIN
Never had a real preference. 
wILLIE
But if you could choose one on a menu. 
mARVIN
I like the Hispanic women, myself. Black girls are nice. Asians. Something about black hair dangling on brown skin. I get chills.
wILLIE
But no white girls?
MARVIN
Like I said, I have no real preference.
wILLIE
If you want some Asian girls, I know a place. Some mixed, too. Them mixed ones are deadly, man. 
mARVIN
Sounds good to me. Where is it?
wILLIE
We gonna have to sort of make a detour.
mARVIN
It's okay. I had to anyway. I'm never surprised by your connections, Willie. You have this whole state marked out, dont'cha?
wILLIE
Pretty much. That's what I do. I'm a hound dog, man. That's my fucking job.
mARVIN
Yeah, you're good.
wILLIE
I know. But look here, this place we going to, this is the hood, man. I ain't talking about the rap hood. I'm talking about the real hood. You know what I'm saying?
mARVIN
Yeah, whatever.
Marvin reaches over and turns up the music and Willie just shakes his head.
lATER
They pull up to a neighborhood. Looks like your average Midwest suburb at first glance.
Marvin pulls over to the side of the road. They look around. Quiet as a fish in a pond. 
mARVIN
This is the hood?
wILLIE
Damn straight.
mARVIN
How come it's so quiet?
wILLIE
'Cause ain't nobody stupid enough to walk these streets.
mARVIN
Looks like a retirement block, only the lawns aren't mowed as nice.
wILLIE
Yeah, that's the point. Drive down to the end. The last crib on the left. The big one. With all those rides in the driveway.
mARVIN
The one with the house party?
wILLIE
Safest house on the block, man.
Marvin approaches the house slowly, pulls to the side, about eight or nine rides, pimped out, parked in the driveway.
The house itself is like a million dollars, and from the outside it looks quiet and peaceful.
mARVIN
So go talk to your boy.
wILLIE
What, you afraid to come with me?
mARVIN
No.
wILLIE
Worried about your car?
mARVIN
No, I'm not worried about anything. Except you, Willie. So if these guys ain't cool, and if somehow my presence doesn't sit well with even a one of them, like I said, first it's two in you, then I take out everybody else.
wILLIE
Marvin, Marvin. Brotha, we gonna have a good night. I guarantee. So relax your shoulders, loosen up your ass hole, and let's go get us some pussy.
iNT. pimp house - DAY
The big door opens with a tall, elderly Black man named GEORGE. He is dressed like a Cosby, grey hair, balding, in a good mood.
He looks at Willie and Marvin standing on the porch, smiles wide and steps aside.
george
Hey...it's Wingman Willie. How's the jump shot?
wILLIE
Still hot, man. Still hot. How you doin'? This motherfucker's bumpin' tonight, huh?
gEORGE
Celebration. You know Ronald Beasley's little cousin? 
wILLIE
Oh yeah, that eighteen year old machine? 
gEORGE
Looks like he's gonna enter the draft. Scouts say he might go late first round.
wILLIE
Yeah? How 'bout that shit? 
geORGE
Yeah, how about that. Well, it's cold out there. Come in, boys. Come in..
Willie and Marvin brush by and the old man shuts the door.
Inside, the big staircase, the tall ceilings, the fireplace, the luxury, but also the loud penetrating hip hop music from another room.
gEORGE (CONT'D)
The real party's in back. Let me take you there.
George escorts the boys through the rooms, a living room, a game room, through a sliding glass door onto the patio, the backyard, the barbecue, and the pool.
It's nothing but Blacks, couple Hispanics, but no white people. It's a bumping scene, although it feels like it's more full than it really is.
gEORGE (CONT'D)
You boys hungry? Want some grub? It's some good eating, here.
wILLIE
Yeah, man. I could eat. Marvin?
mARVIN
Yeah, why not? I'm still hungry.
George hooks them up with a plate and they help themselves, checking out the scene.
gEORGE
You guys can just chill here for a minute. Our man's just finishing a game of pool upstairs. Big money game. 
wILLIE
Right on, man. We'll be here eating.
George walks off. Marvin looks around, the people slowly starting to notice him.
wILLIE (CONT'D)
Hey, man. What's your problem? You uncomfortable?
mARVIN
A little.
wILLIE
Why? You as much a nigga as any of these motherfuckers are, the way you live your life.
mARVIN
Yeah, well. I don't like random people staring at me, no matter who.
wILLIE
They ain't staring. They just checking you out 'cause you're white, that's all.
mARVIN
Exactly. It's annoying. It shouldn't take a stare. Should be one look, that's all.
wILLIE
Just deal with it, bro. We are here to get something special. I hope you brought some cash.
mARVIN
You think I thought you were gonna cover a fucking tab for once?
wILLIE
Well when I get my thirty percent, I'm gonna pay you back, man. In bud. Couple pounds here, couple pounds there.
mARVIN
Yeah, you better. At least that.
iNT. office - nIGHT
The office is like that of Don Corleone and Tony Montana, only more modern, more sleek, more gangsta. 
There are about five or six guys, couple in business suits, couple in casual attire, couple thugged out. All obviously packing heat.
The room is fucking huge for a personal office. There's a big table, a big boss chair, and a big stupid self portrait that isn't very good.
Marvin and Willie sit back, looking around, waiting for the boss man. The other guys seem to be just relaxing, not really paying attention to Marvin and Willie, sharing stories and smoking away.
Then the door opens. It's MIKE, who's a tall, fat Black guy, in his thirties, wearing a robe similar to Hugh Hefner's, slippers, gold rings, gold teeth, gold chain, cigar in hand.
He walks over, talks to some of his men, they proceed to leave, with just the two young thugs and George beside him, with Marvin and Willie across the room chilling.
mike
Willie...the fuck you doing around here?
wILLIE
I'm with my boy Marvin here.
MIKE
How you doing tonight, Marvin?
mARVIN
Fine.
mIKE
You from around here?
mARVIN
No.
Mike looks at Marvin with interest, a little uncertain.
wILLIE
Nah, he's from Chi-town, man, like me. We, uh, we're just passing through. My grandma's sick in, uh, St. Louis. We're going down to see her.
mikE
Stopping for some pussy on the way to your granny's house?
wILLIE
Hey, man. It's a long fucking trip from Chicago to St. Louis, man. Shit.
They start to laugh and then Mike sits down, motions the guys to come closer, and slowly they get the hint.
Up close, Mike looks like he just woke up, scratching his head, a yawn here, stretch there.
miKE
So what can I do you for, Willie?
wILLIE
Me and Marvin was thinking about maybe some mixed bitches.
mIKE
What mix?
wILLIE
Asian and Black, man. Or Asian and White. No Asian and nothing else, man. I seen how some of them motherfuckers turn out.
mIKE
So Asian and Black?
wILLIE
Yeah, that's a preference, though. It's really no big -- 
miKE
What kind of Asian?
wILLIE
What kind?
Willie looks at Marvin, who thinks about it.
mARVIN
Korean.
wILLIE
Yeah, Korean. Love them Koreans. Beautiful.
miKE
And what kind of Black?
wILLIE
What kind of Black?
Willie looks over at Marvin, then Willie puts up his hands like he doesn't know what to say. 
mARVIN
Doesn't matter.
Mike nods his head to Marvin's tune, looks over his shoulder, George bends down, whispers in his ear, and George leaves.
mIKE
It shouldn't be too long. Anything else I can do you guys for? 
Willie looks at Marvin again.
miKE (CONT'D)
Some purple, some yeyo, some dust, some crack, some dope...pills? Anything? 
wILLIE
What you think, Marvin?
Marvin studies Mike carefully, looks over at the other two clowns, holding guns, then over at Mike with a big smile on his face.
iNT. love suite - nIGHT
Willie and Marvin lounge back on the couch, watching a big TV, smoking a bowl.
wILLIE
What you think about old Mike?
mARVIN
What do I think? I just met him, but I think he's a fucking idiot.
wILLIE
Really? You ain't impressed?
mARVIN
Not really. 
wILLIE
Shit, Marvin. I don't know about you sometimes.
A knock comes at the door. The guys don't even take their eyes off the TV.
wILLIE (CONT'D)
Come in.
The door opens. Two gorgeous girls walk in, Black and Korean. ERIKA and KIMBERLY. They look like twins, dressed like they just got back from spring break. 
Willie and Marvin look over and smile, sit up, put aside the pipe and focus on the girls.
wILLIE (CONT'D)
Goddamn, look at you. Look at you. Look at these girls, man.
mARVIN
I'm looking.
The girls giggle and walk over to the guys, sit beside them.
eRIKA
Hi, I'm Erika.
kIMBERLY
I'm Kimberly.
wILLIE
Willie.
mARVIN
Marvin.
The guys stare at the girls who just smile back.
erika
Were you guys smoking a bowl?
wILLIE
Uh, yeah.
kimberly
Well you got any left?
wILLIE
Sure. We got some left. Marvin...can you load another bowl for the bitches. 
mARVIN
Yeah, I can do that.
lATER
Willie and Marvin are in two different rooms. Two different "love suites." Marvin sits next to Kimberly on the bed and he's showing her his gun.
kIMBERLY
It's funny. This gun looks so real. Like sometimes, they just look like plastic toys. But this one looks really real.
mARVIN
Yeah it ain't no toy.
kIMBERLY
You're pretty good with it, huh?
mARVIN
Well, as good as I have to be.
kIMBERLY
They didn't even search you?
mARVIN
What? Here? Before I came in?
kImBERLY
Yeah. Downstairs. 
mARVIN
No, didn't search me. 
kIMBERLY
Wow. That's cool. You must be real cool. Do you ever have to use this?
mARVIN
Yeah, sometimes. You know, keep a motherfucker in line. 
She laughs in a sexy way, sort of rubbing against him.
kIMBERLY
You seem like a real badass kind of guy.
mARVIN
You think so?
kIMBERLY
Yeah. You're a bad boy, I can tell.
mARVIN
A bad boy?
kIMBERLY
Mmm hmm, which is good 'cause I like bad boys. I like that whole "I don't give a fuck" attitude. Somebody who just reaches out and grabs it. You know? I like that. It's sexy. 
mARVIN
Yeah? Some chicks dig it, I guess.
She pushes his head down, crawls on top of him, starts to do her thing, strip for him, kissing him, making love to him.
lATER
The four of them sit around the big TV, on the couch, watching late night TV, passing around a joint.
eRIKA
This is good shit.
wILLIE
That's Marvin's stuff. Marvin's a motherfucking stoner, man. Always high. Look at him.
eRIKA
You guys are like really wild and crazy, huh? Like what kind of shit are you into?
wiLLIE
What you mean?
eRIKA
Like as far as experimenting and stuff.
wILLIE
Experimenting? 
Willie looks at the girl's smile and then over at Marvin who has no idea what she's hinting at.
wILLIE (CONT'D)
Whoa, whoa. Hold on. Now if you're talking about me and my boy rubbing nut sacks for some twisted fantasy, it ain't going down like that. 
The girls laugh and so does Marvin.
wILLIE (CONT'D)
You know what I'm saying? You understand my problem with that? I ain't no faggot, all right? 
eRIKA
I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about drugs.
wILLIE
Drugs? What drugs?
eRIKA
What do you got?
Willie looks over at Marvin who spaces off.
wILLIE
Marvin? Marvin?!
mARVIN
What?
wILLIE
Show her that bag.
Marvin reaches into his pocket, pulls out the bag. The girls gawk at it.
eRIKA
Is that what I think it is?
wILLIE
What?
eRIKA
Coke?
wILLIE
No.
eRIKA
Crank?
wILLIE
No.
eRIKA
Heroin?
wILLIE
Exactly.
The girls look at each other, undecided. 
kIMBERLY
Is it true that it's like an orgasm multiplied by a thousand?
wILLIE
A thousand? Goddamn!
mARVIN
I wouldn't say a thousand. I'd say more like a hundred.
The girls like what they hear.
lATER
Strapped up, Marvin injects Erika with the heroin and she falls back, sort of into Willie's arms. They cuddle a little, make out, do their thing. 
Marvin hooks Kimberly up, shoots it through, watches her eyes change and her breath taken away. She falls back onto the bed, grabs Marvin's hand, pulls him down onto her.
kIMBERLY
Oh my God, oh my God...can you do me a favor?
mARVIN
Uh huh.
She pulls him even closer, nose to nose, lowers her voice in a soft, tired whisper.
kIMBERLY
Just fuck me.
mARVIN
Okay.
He proceeds to have at her, kissing her up and down and pulling down her panties and making it happen.
iNT. mARVIN'S CAR - DAY
The rain is coming down fairly hard but it doesn't matter because Marvin and Willie are lounging back, eyes puffed up, big fat grins, smoking up the car, in total joy.
Willie reaches down and turns up the volume. He looks over at Marvin and begins to sing, and then Marvin joins in to the tune of "Turn Back the Hands of Time" by Tyrone Davis.
wILLIE
Ah...my body is just pure bliss, Marvin. I'm feeling good this morning. Real good. Happy good and just all around good. Good, man. Did I say that shit enough?
mARVIN
Yeah, me too. I'm feeling good, feeling stronger.
wILLIE
Really? I feel weaker. But good all the same.
mARVIN
Stronger in mind and spirit.
wILLIE
Stronger in mind and spirit. Right on.
mARVIN
Just don't relax too much, 'cause we're on our way to the house.
wILLIE
I don't care right now, bro. I'm in my happy place. You know what? You ain't so bad, Marvin. I take those things back, man. You're a mean motherfucker, and a selfish shit, but you come through. 
mARVIN
Well, thank you.
wILLIE
Matter of fact, know what I was thinking?
mARVIN
What?
wILLIE
I was thinking after we get to New Orleans, we could take this poor man's million, head out to Vegas, take our chances. I got a brother-in-law that taught me some shit. I'm good, Marvin. Turn a four to an eight and push that eight over a mil.
mARVIN
You ain't gambling my share. And I thought you were gonna cover your debts.
wILLIE
I am. Well...some, but not all of 'em.
lATER
Marvin pulls off to the curb, looks around the neighborhood in a familiar way. Willie slowly comes to and looks around.
wiLLIE
What part of St. Louis is this, man? I don't recognize it.
mARVIN
We ain't in St. Louis. This looks familiar. Hand me that case in the back seat.
Willie grabs the case, opens it up, looks through it.
wILLIE
What you need?
Marvin reaches over and grabs the right sheet of paper, reads it carefully. Willie realizes where they are.
wILLIE (CONT'D)
Hey, man. This is the same hood we were at last night. This is the same fucking street. You drove around in a circle, you spacey motherfucker. 
mARVIN
What? This is the same place?
wILLIE
Yeah, man. Mike's crib is right down there.
Marvin double checks the address. He pulls his car up to Mike's, little off to the side. 
mARVIN
No, no. This is the place. This is our business, right here.
wILLIE
We were just here, man.
mARVIN
I know. I knew something was odd about the guy. I didn't realize it then, but this is definitely the place. Your boy Mike is definitely our man.
Willie shakes his head. Marvin reaches into the back seat, a duffel bag, pulls out a Mac-10, hands it to Willie.
wILLIE
What's this?
mARVIN
Mac-10. 
wILLIE
Where's the shotgun?
mARVIN
You don't want a shotgun for this. That's better suited. You got your vest? Put it on.
wILLIE
What are you packing?
Marvin pulls out his two 9mms. 
wiLLIE (CONT'D)
That it?
mARVIN
Yep.
wILLIE
Marvin, these motherfuckers have heavy artillery in here.
mARVIN
That's why we walk up, play it cool, looks like we're back for our wallet or something, sneak up on them. Just remember, like a ballerina. You ready?
wILLIE
Am I ready? No, man. I'm high as a motherfucker, I'm tired, I'm hungry, I'm sick of this shit, I was in a real peaceful place in my mind, and I'm not sure how to use this motherfucker.
mARVIN
It's loaded. Here's the safety. Here's another clip. 
Marvin opens the door, one foot out the door.
wILLIE
Marvin, wait. Hold up.
mARVIN
What?
wILLIE
I'm serious. I don't think I can run up in here. I'm not gonna spray these niggas, man. I just ain't gonna do it. You don't really need my ass anyway, do you?. Come on, man. Admit. You don't need me. It just makes it easier for you to have somebody there so you don't feel so guilty about what you do. And I'm the hound. You're the hunter.
MARVIN
Let me handle it. Just wait by the door. 
wILLIE
I'm serious, Marvin. I ain't running up in -- 
MARVIN
I told you, Willie. Don't fuck with my business.
Marvin's face goes straight and his eyes pierce into Willie, who gives it right back.
wILLIE
This ain't your business, it's your life.
mARVIN
Even so. Get your shit together. Let's go.
Marvin gets out of the car. Willie sits there for a minute, thinking.
iNT. pIMP mansion - DAY
Marvin and Willie wait outside the door, hands to their sides, a nervous look on Willie but Marvin is sporting a grin.
The door opens. It's George, with a smile, looking like he's going on a trip to Hawaii. 
gEORGE
Willie, Marvin. You boys are back quick. That Asian pussy stays tighter than a motherfucker, don't it? Come on inside, I'll fix you up a drink.
They walk in. It's quiet, as if everybody were sleeping. George shuts the door, turns to the boys.
gEORGE (CONT'D)
You boys hungry? We got a chef who can cook up anything your mind can imagine. For breakfast, his specialty is omelets.  
Marvin looks over at Willie, who stalls a minute, then takes out his gun, points it at George. Marvin then grabs George by the head and fires a shot through his neck, up through his brain.
George's body falls to the floor. Willie stares down at him as Marvin signals that he is heading upstairs and he slowly creeps off.
wILLIE
Fuck, man. Fuck. 
Willie cautiously waits by the door, watching Marvin quietly head up the door. Willie looks around, sees a little kid of about four come up from the hallway.
The kid walks right up to Willie and George. He takes one look at George and the blood, one frightened look at Willie, then he runs off. Willie just watches the kid dodge around a corner.
Willie takes a few steps and then four rapid shots fire from upstairs, some screams, some more shots, then some more screams from another part of the house.
upstairs
Marvin walks out of the game room, four guys on the floor and a couple girls, and he heads down the hallway.
Somebody peeks their head out the door and Marvin fires a shot, but misses. He continues to walk down the hall. 
Then the guy reappears with a hand gun, but as he turns the corner, firing a missed shot at Marvin, Marvin puts one in his head, still continuing to walk all the way down the hallway.
downstairs
Willie looks around, fidgets with his gun, makes sure the safety is off, and then a couple figures appear from across the room.
Willie waits for nothing and starts to spray the area with bullets until he sees no movement. He cautiously approaches the scene.
upstairs
Marvin heads into the master bedroom, listens by the door, opens it quickly and takes cover.
He finally emerges with his guns, looks around, hears the shower running, and walks over to the giant bathroom.
He steps in, a beautiful figure standing in the shower, washing her hair. Marvin lowers his guns and watches her through the clear glass.
downstairs
Willie comes up to the dead bodies. Two teenagers. Then he hears a noise and from behind, a big guy with a shotgun appears.
The guy fires a blast, right next to Willie, missing but putting a fat hole into the wall. Willie ducks back and sprays into the man, dropping him.
Willie gets up from the ground, looks out, breathing heavy, looking around the many corners of the maze.
upstairs
The girl in the shower stands in shock, watching Marvin watch her, both of them hearing the loud gunfire and the loud echo. 
Marvin raises his gun, the girl pleads with a scream but Marvin quickly fires off a couple shots, and she falls to the floor.
He turns and heads out the door, down the hall.
downstairs
Willie slowly gets up, walks into the lobby-like room, looking each way for any movement.
Appearing from behind is Mike, a big knife in his hand. He creeps up on Willie, puts the knife to Willie's throat, and drags him back.
miKE
What's up now, motherfucker? You bad now? Huh? You mean now?
Willie drops the gun, raises his hands.
miKE (CONT'D)
Oh you want to surrender now? You ungrateful little monkey. Thinking you can creep up on my shit and take my ass out? With nothing but a little piece of shit like that? Fuck you, you little bitch. Listen to this, Willie. I'm sending out the troops. I know your mama, your mama's mama, your three kids motherfucker, Damon, Juliet, and Kalea. I know your whole fucking family. I'm slaying 'em all. One by one. And it starts with you.
Willie takes one last plea but Mike gashes into Willie's neck three times, drops Willie to the floor, coughing and gagging blood.
Mike looks around, like some Navy Seal, and looks up to the stairs, grabs the rail, and out of the shadow, Marvin springs up and aims the gun at the back of Mike's head and blows it through. Mike falls onto the steps.
Marvin listens, waits, looks around the house, goes over to Willie's body, still gagging up blood, having a spasm, then he dies just as Marvin gets to him.
Marvin bends down and looks at Willie, then puts his head down for a couple quiet seconds. 
Finally, he rises, doesn't turn or look around, just opens the door, walks down the driveway, out to his car, and quickly he drives off.
iNT. mARVIN'S CAR - DAY
Marvin pulls onto the freeway and drives in silence. He looks over at the empty passenger seat and shakes his head. Then his phone rings.
He looks for it, in his pocket, pulls it out.
mARVIN
Yeah?
tOMMY (O.C.)
It's Tommy. Good morning. How's the weather where you are?
mARVIN
It's cloudy. Little drizzle.
tOMMY (O.C.)
So where are you? 
mARVIN
On the freeway, heading south by southeast.
tOMMY (o.C.)
South by southeast. Listen, Marvin...I'm impressed with your work so far.
mARVIN
Yeah, okay.
iNT. hotel room - DAY
Tommy sits on his bed with a white robe, watching TV, some girl next to him, half-naked.
tOMMY
But seeing as I can't protect you in order to protect myself, I just wanted to warn you that when you get to St. Louis, you might get some company. 
mARVIN (O.C.)
Just what I need.
tOMMY
Well I'm just giving you the head's up. This next one, she likes to roam and frequents that little dive bar you'll see in your papers. That's your best shot. How are you with supplies?
iNT. mARVIN'S CAR - DAY
mARVIN
I'm fine, Tommy.
tOMMY (O.C.)
Need any extra dough? Maybe some for sport?
mARVIN
No, I don't need anything except a fucking nap. Look, I gotta go. I'm driving here, all right?
tOMMY (O.C.)
All right, man. Stay strong. Get yourself a couple bitches. I'll be calling back.
Marvin snaps the phone shut and tosses it aside. He sulks his face, turns up his system, and fades out.
lATER
As Marvin enters St. Louis, it's a dark but warm night. His Chevelle pulls off to the side, across the street from a local dive bar called Sharkie's. 
Marvin grabs his gun, reloads it, puts it to his side, sits and waits.
iNT. sharkie's - nIGHT
Marvin enters the bar, which is fairly empty and fairly small. It's Karaoke night during the middle of the week and the regular barflies are in full form.
Marvin takes a look around and finds a seat at a table. Some old guy croons along to some forgettable tune.
A waitress comes up to Marvin and asks for a drink. Marvin sends her off with a quick response and sulks in his seat.
A few moments later, the waitress comes back with Marvin's drink. He drinks it without looking up, stirring it, drinking it fast and asking for another.
The old guy finally finishes his rendition and steps off with a couple cheers and claps. Marvin, however, couldn't care less about the room, staring down at his table, drinking quick, lighting up a cigarette.
The DJ calls to the microphone the next singer. After some applause from the crowd, some catcalls, she finally steps up, shy but giddy.
From the second the song comes on, "I'm Every Woman" by Chaka Khan, Marvin's attention is at once shifted from his lonely table to the front of the room.
When he looks over, he sees a black woman in her late twenties, sexy and beautiful, exuding a childlike innocence with a sheepish grin.
Her name is COURTNEY. One look and you're hooked. If she had more money, she might have the time to do herself up like a model. Instead, she looks like the girl next door, naturally beautiful with an energy that brings the room to its feet.
When she hits the first note, everybody in the room is into it. She's the best karaoke singer in her district, and for the first part of the song, she is irresistible.
Marvin's eyes stay glued to the sexy songstress at the stage. He takes the cigarette out of his mouth, trying to focus on the girl's every movement.
From her eyes to her thighs, Marvin has all but forgotten the past twenty-four hours. 
She toys the audience with a kind of sexy dance with her eyes, the way she moves her hips, sticks out her ass.
But she is careful not to be too cocky and when she starts to show off too much, she reels it back in with a schoolgirl giggle.
Her eyes scan the room when she sings. And it doesn't take her long to notice the stranger in the back, looking at her like some child fan.
The song shifts from the verses and chorus to the tailing off portion where Chaka shows her weight. Unfortunately, Courtney lacks the confidence to wail out the remainder and starts to laugh and apologize to the crowd for not being able to reach the higher, stronger notes.
Nevertheless, she finishes with a great applause, does a cute little curtsy, and steps off to the side.
She walks over to a small booth and sits down. Marvin continues to stare just until Courtney looks over, missing his eyes.
Marvin and Courtney do a little dance with their eyes. Courtney tries to catch Marvin looking at her, but he's smooth even in times of panic.
A FAT LADY comes over and sits next to Courtney. Courtney now looks over at Marvin, who looks off in a different direction.
fat lady
Who the fuck is that?
courtney
I dunno. Some guy. Hey, I'm gonna go get a drink and tell me if he watches my ass, okay?
fAT LADY
What are you drinking?
cOURTNEY
Washington Apple.
fAT LADY
Make it a double.
Courtney gets up, wiggles her ass over to the bar, orders a couple drinks. Marvin, however, doesn't swing a glance. His eyes remain steady, watching the scene up front, looking over at the fat lady.
Then Courtney comes back with the drinks and sits down beside the fat lady.
cOURTNEY
So did he look?
fAT LADY
Nope. Not even a peek.
cOURTNEY
I knew it. He wants me.
fAT LADY
Mmm hmm.
They sit and drink, looking around, looking at Marvin not looking at them.
cOURTNEY
Should I go over there? Break the ice?
fAT LADY
He's hot. Kinda old. But I'd fuck him.
cOURTNEY
Oh my god, Jen. You are always so horny.
jen
I know.
cOURTNEY
Okay. I'm going over there. How do I look? Do I look okay?
jEN
You look beautiful.
cOURTNEY
Really? You think he's too old for me? Really?
jEN
No, he's fine. Go get him before someone else does.
cOURTNEY
You sure? Maybe I should wait a while, let him make a move.
jEN
Fuck that. He's fresh meat, and he won't be alone for long.
cOURTNEY
Okay.
Courtney calmly walks over to Marvin's table with a smile. She looks down at him. He looks away. 
cOURTNEY (CONT'D)
Excuse me.
Marvin quickly turns his head, trying to play it cool.
cOURTNEY (CONT'D)
Mind if I sit down?
Marvin shakes his head to her and she smiles at him.
mARVIN
No. Go ahead.
She sits across from him with her drink. Then she sticks out her hand.
cOURTNEY
I'm Courtney.
mARVIN
Marvin.
They shake hands, she pulls back and thinks of something to say.
cOURTNEY
Are you gonna sing something?
mARVIN
Me?
cOURTNEY
Yeah, maybe something Elvis, something Rod Stewart.
mARVIN
Rod Stewart?
cOURTNEY
Sure, why not? I sing out of my range all the time. None of these idiots notice, but I do. 
mARVIN
Oh yeah?
cOURTNEY
Uh huh. Sometimes I just pick a random song and sing it, sort of spin it my own way, you know what I mean?
mARVIN
No.
cOURTNEY
It's kinda hard, you gotta be quick, but it's really fun. There's some people that come in, like that guy over there with all those cards, and that older lady with her notebook, they are like so into this. Not even to have a good time, just to be all serious about it. I hate that mentality. 
mARVIN
That lady said you were the district champion.
cOURTNEY
Yeah, oh God, those things are so funny. Have you ever been to one?
mARVIN
No.
cOURTNEY
You should go just for the laugh factor. I'm telling you, it's fun. And the drinking helps.
mARVIN
Are you a party girl?
cOURTNEY
Oh yeah. Big time. Not like slutty party girl, but I like to have fun.
Marvin smiles as he smokes.
cOURTNEY (CONT'D)
So...um...I'm just curious, but how old are you?
mARVIN
Forty-three.
cOURTNEY
Really? Guess how old I am?
mARVIN
Twenty-four. Five. Six.
cOURTNEY
Eight.
mARVIN
Twenty-eight? You don't look it.
cOURTNEY
Or act it or feel it, I know. It's crazy. My birthday's coming up, I'll be twenty-nine, and next year if I'm still here, oh my God, I'll be thirty.
mARVIN
Yeah, life is quick. Until you get old.
She plays with her hair, plays with her eyes at him. He tries to play it off, but she's in his head and he can't turn away.
cOURTNEY
So what do you do? I've never seen you here and I'm here a lot. So what's your thing?
mARVIN
What's my thing?
cOURTNEY
Yeah, what's your thing?
mARVIN
Well, I'm sort of on a little business trip. Passing through.
cOURTNEY
You're on a business trip?
mARVIN
Yeah, from Chicago.
cOURTNEY
To St. Louis?
mARVIN
Uh...no, to New Orleans. I'm just driving through.
cOURTNEY
You're driving on a business trip?
mARVIN
I don't like to fly.
cOURTNEY
Oh. Me neither. So what brings you to Sharkie's on a Wednesday night?
mARVIN
Just a random pick. But I think I made the right choice.
cOURTNEY
Oh yeah, why's that?
mARVIN
Just a hunch.
cOURTNEY
A hunch? What's that?
mARVIN
You don't know what a hunch is?
cOURTNEY
No, of course I do. I was saying it like, a hunch, what's that, I've never heard that before, something foreign to me, sarcasm, you know?
mARVIN
Gotcha.
cOURTNEY
I'm sorry, was that bitchy?
maRVIN
It's attitude. There's a difference.
cOURTNEY
There is a difference and you're the first guy I've met that actually knows that. Right on. High five.
Marvin smiles even wider, putting his hand up and she slaps it.
cOURTNEY (CONT'D)
I'm a big dork, huh? 
maRVIN
Nah, you're too hard on yourself. 
cOURTNEY
So you wanna buy me a drink after I drink this one?
mARVIN
Sure, why not?
cOURTNEY
Then after those two I'll be in the right frame of mind.
two drinks later
The place has emptied a little but it still carries some weight. Even though Marvin and Courtney sit across the table from each other, they seem closer. 
cOURTNEY
Oh my God, I hate that. Why do they do that? Like it's their job to tell you what's wrong with your car. And it's always totally different things. Just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I don't know my shit, you know?
mARVIN
That's true. 
cOURTNEY
So what are you sitting on?
mARVIN
What am I sitting on?
cOURTNEY
Yeah, what you got? No, no. Let me guess. Can I guess?
mARVIN
Shoot.
cOURTNEY
Something sleek. Something sporty. Something tough. Something that says, don't fuck with me. Am I right?
mARVIN
Getting warmer.
cOURTNEY
I'm thinking something like a Dodge Viper. Something like that?
mARVIN
A Dodge Viper?
cOURTNEY
Am I close?
mARVIN
You want to come outside, see my car, take a ride?
cOURTNEY
Yeah, let's go.
eXT. sHARKIE'S - nIGHT
Outside Marvin walks her across the street, the green Chevelle sitting pretty in the streetlight.
cOURTNEY
Oh wow, this is fucking cool. How much was this?
mARVIN
How much was it?
cOURTNEY
When you got it.
mARVIN
That was a long time ago.
cOURTNEY
It's really a beautiful car. I can see why you'd want to take a business trip in it.
mARVIN
Want to take a spin?
cOURTNEY
Yeah. Where to?
mARVIN
Around the block.
cOURTNEY
Wait. You only had a few drinks, right?
mARVIN
Believe me, right now is as sober as I've been in a long time. Honest to God.
cOURTNEY
Okay. Let's go.
iNT. mARVIN'S CAR - nIGHT
They sit in the car, she's touching things like a kid, commenting on this and that.
cOURTNEY
You put a lot of love into this. You must be a real passionate guy.
mARVIN
Not from what I hear.
cOURTNEY
You're a popular guy with the ladies, come on. Right when you walked in, I knew it was trouble.
mARVIN
You were watching me come in?
cOURTNEY
Oh yeah. How could I not? I was thinking, oh he's a lot older, but he's fine. 
mARVIN
Yeah, well. Soon as I saw you, I knew that was it.
cOURTNEY
That was what?
mARVIN
All I needed. Then I was sucked in.
cOURTNEY
Oh my God, really? Are you serious?
mARVIN
Yeah, of course. You must do well with first impressions.
cOURTNEY
Actually, it's the second impression where I really kill 'em. But there is more to me than just my nice ass.
mARVIN
I like your eyes and your tits, too.
cOURTNEY
Oh do you?
mARVIN
I have no complaints so far.
She punches him on the shoulder playfully. 
cOURTNEY
Listen to you, Mr. Smooth. What are you a player or something?
mARVIN
Me? Nah. No way. I don't even know what that is.
cOURTNEY
Sure. How many times have you denied that in the last month?
mARVIN
No, I'm serious. I don't get out much.
cOURTNEY
Why not?
mARVIN
Caught up with my business, I guess. 
cOURTNEY
Huh. Well business is over and it's time to take a break. Let's go for a drive. Where are we going anyway?
MARVIN
I don't know. Wherever. 
cOURTNEY
We can go back to my place. It's not too far away. 
He looks over at her and she gives him a sexy look.
mARVIN
You don't have a boyfriend or a roommate or a husband or something along those lines?
cOURTNEY
No, I live alone. Don't worry. But it's an okay place for just one person. The rent's low, it's got a big tub, nice balcony, it's all I need.
mARVIN
So you're not high maintenance?
She thinks about it.
mARVIN (CONT'D)
You are, huh?
cOURTNEY
No, I'm not. I am on some things, but actually I'm a pretty down to earth kind of girl. Money isn't that big of deal to me.
mARVIN
You sound like somebody who's always had it.
cOURTNEY
No I used to. Not anymore, though. Which is better for me. I feel more real, you know?
mARVIN
I don't know about that.
laTER
Marvin pulls over outside of Courtney's apartments. 
cOURTNEY
You want to come up for a drink? Or a smoke? Do you smoke?
mARVIN
Yeah I smoke.
cOURTNEY
We're not too drunk anyway, are we?
MARVIN
Nah. I'm not. 
cOURTNEY
So come up for a minute, will you?
mARVIN
Are you sure?
cOURTNEY
Yes, I trust you. I can look into someone's eyes and tell if they're genuine or not. I have a gift for it, I'm telling you.
mARVIN
That's a dangerous thing to flirt with.
cOURTNEY
I like danger.
He smiles and agrees and they get out of the car.
iNT. courtney's apartment - niGHT
They sit on her couch, the TV quietly on, the music playing low, she has a couple drinks in front of them on the coffee table, as she smokes the pipe and passes it over.
cOURTNEY
So wait, you're going to New Orleans on a business trip?
mARVIN
Yep. And when everything's done, I'll have almost half a mil.
cOURTNEY
No way. You're a drug dealer, aren't you?
mARVIN
Don't tell anybody.
cOURTNEY
I won't, I won't. Need some company?
mARVIN
What?
cOURTNEY
To go with you.
mARVIN
You want to go with me?
cOURTNEY
Yeah, yeah. I wanna go. That would be fun. I was gonna call in sick tomorrow anyways and I'm not doing anything this weekend...well I have this baby shower thing for my sister-in-law and then I was supposed to call my friend Jordan to see if she's still going out, but other than that, I'm not busy. You should let me come with you. Are you driving back up?
mARVIN
Yeah.
cOURTNEY
Then you could just drop me back off here.
He laughs to himself at her serious look.
mARVIN
I think maybe you should slow down just a bit.
cOURTNEY
I know, I know. I should. God, I met you like two hours ago. I'm not a slut or anything, I swear. It's just...I don't know, like I get so caught up in each moment. My mind is so frantic, you have no idea. I get carried away all the time. I just go on my instincts and let 'em take me where they may. And most of the time, my instincts are correct.
mARVIN
Yeah, me too. I don't know what instincts are, but I trust mine.
cOURTNEY
Well...the pot helps a little, slow things down, relax the nerves...but I just love that energy, you know? When you have a great idea and then it just starts to build and build, like an orgasm, and you just want to chase the rabbit as long as you can because you know it's precious and that feeling won't be there too much longer. You know what I'm saying?
mARVIN
I do, yeah. 
He passes her the pipe.
cOURTNEY
Oh I'm good.
mARVIN
Me, too.
Then she looks at him with an innocent, schoolgirl stare. He just gazes in at her.
cOURTNEY
So you aren't, like, in a relationship are you?
mARVIN
No, not at all. I, uh, I sort of broke up with my girl a few months ago. Funny story to that actually.
coURTNEY
Tell me. I like stories. Especially long ones.
MARVIN
Maybe another time.
cOURTNEY
Okay. I'm holding you to that.
She scoots in closer to him, smiling at him, hinting. Finally he makes a move, reaches in and they start to make out. But she stops him.
cOURTNEY (CONT'D)
Hey, hey. I have a great idea. You're gonna love it. 
mARVIN
What is it?
iNT. mARVIN'S CAR - niGHT
Cruising in the Chevelle, smiles and comfortable about each other, on the way to her big idea, Marvin smokes a cigarette and Courtney lets the wind blow her hair back.
She watches him drive, admiring his masculinity, then she reaches over and kisses him on the cheek.
cOURTNEY
You seem like such a gentle guy. So safe. So huggable.
mARVIN
Huggable?
cOURTNEY
Yeah, huggable. And kissable and lovable and fuckable. All of that. I can tell.
He chuckles at her girlish nature.
mARVIN
Well I can tell that you are a lot of fun.
cOURTNEY
I am. Up to a point.
mARVIN
Up to a point?
cOURTNEY
That's how everybody is. Then you get annoyed eventually and all this good stuff wears off and you look at that other person and it's like, what the hell happened to you? But people change or refuse to or whatever, you know what I mean? It's unavoidable.
mARVIN
You may be right. 
cOURTNEY
I'm serious. And then it's always, before you were like this, when I met you you were like that, and it's so dramatic and complicated and you wish you could just go back to getting to know each other so all the difficult, real stuff doesn't corrupt your vision of happiness.
He looks over at her with a big smile as she is in her element thinking of something, looking out the window, and then she turns to him.
cOURTNEY (CONT'D)
Sorry. I just go off sometimes. I just think relationships are funny like that. But I can tell you're a nice guy. You seem very understandable. 
mARVIN
I'm not too quick to judge. But there's a lot of things you don't know about me. I don't want you to think I'm a creep.
cOURTNEY
Why would I think that?
mARVIN
I don't know. 
cOURTNEY
Hey, you see that green house on the left with the CRX parked outside?
mARVIN
Yeah.
cOURTNEY
Well, not that one, but the next one over is the house.
mARVIN
You tight with these people?
cOURTNEY
Oh yeah. He's a good friend of mine. We've known each other for about five years almost. We'll always be really tight. 
mARVIN
So what stuff are we getting?
cOURTNEY
The good stuff.
Marvin approaches the little trailer slowly.
cOURTNEY (CONT'D)
Don't park right out front. Park over here, across the street.
mARVIN
You sure?
cOURTNEY
Uh huh. Hey, how much you got on you?
mARVIN
I don't know. Couple hundred. Why?
cOURTNEY
Give me eighty and I'll pay you back when we get to my apartment. Can you do that for me?
mARVIN
I don't see why not. But, uh, you know I have a lot of stuff in my trunk, and a little goes a long way.
cOURTNEY
Oh not with me. When I want something, I'm like a bear, you know what I mean? I just go after it and eat it all up. Then I want even more. Besides, this is the good stuff.
She looks over at the trailer.
cOURTNEY (CONT'D)
I wonder if his mom's up?
mARVIN
His mom?
cOURTNEY
She's a sweetheart. Hey, can I have that eighty now?
Marvin reaches into his pocket, forks over the cash, and then she takes it with enthusiasm and grabs his face, kisses him soft and sweet.
Then Courtney gets out and he follows her across the street, up to the small trailer.
She knocks on the door lightly. A few moments pass by. Martin looks around coolly, looking over at Courtney who is anxious to get inside. Then the door opens. 
CHARLIE, a kid of about 21, skinny, pale, unclean and unprepared for company, stands there with a funny smile, looking straight at Courtney. Charlie is white but hip hop has changed his life.
charlie
How you doin', Court?
cOURTNEY
Hi. This is my friend Marvin. 
cHARLIE
Hey, man. What up?
mARVIN
Hey.
cOURTNEY
Okay it's freezing out here, can I come in?
cHARLIE
Yeah, come on in.
Charlie steps aside and lets his guests pass through. Then he looks around the neighborhood and shuts the door.
iNT. charlie's trailer - DAY
Inside, sitting on the couch, playing a video game, is Charlie's little brother. The place is fairly clean even though it's very nature look makes it seem more messy. Some hip hop music playing at a tolerable level.
Courtney and Marvin sit down on the couch, as Courtney pushes Charlie's brother and he scoots down. His name is JARED and he's about twelve.
cOURTNEY
Hey, Jared. 
jared
What up?
cOURTNEY
Still going to the Ludacris concert?
jARED
Fuck yeah. You know how many girls are gonna be there?
cOURTNEY
So? What does that mean to you? Hey, Charlie, where's your mom?
cHARLIE
Sleeping. Y'all wanna smoke a joint?
cOURTNEY
Yeah, sure. Let's chief. 
Charlie gets up and goes to the kitchen. Courtney sits back, reaches over and puts her arm around Jared, sort of rubbing his head in a playful but affectionate way. Marvin sits back and takes it all in.
Charlie comes back in with the joint, sits down, lights it up, takes a puff, passes it to Marvin and Marvin takes his turn.
cOURTNEY (CONT'D)
This is chron, huh?
cHARLIE
You know I don't get nothing but.
Marvin passes the joint to Courtney and she smokes it and then gives it to Jared who, without missing a beat on the TV, grabs the joint, takes a fat rip, and hands it back to Courtney.
Courtney gives the joint back to Charlie and round and round we go.
cOURTNEY
How's your mom doing?
chARLIE
Still hurting. Bitching. Fucking nagging me. Flipping out every other day over nothing.
cOURTNEY
She's just trying to keep you from turning into your dad.
cHARLIE
Whatever. Fuck that.
Marvin looks at the room with suspicion and distrust.  
cOURTNEY
So can you help me out?
chARLIE
Yeah, you know I can. Come on.
He gets up and she gets up and they walk off down the little hallway and into one of the rooms.
Marvin sits there with the joint. He thinks to hand the joint over to Jared, but one look at the kid and it's clear he's one toke over. So Marvin sets the joint aside and takes in the atmosphere. 
It's evident that Courtney is gone longer than she should be as Marvin fidgets with his hands, his pockets, his lighter, his gun, not realizing the kid is staring at him holding the gun.
jARED
Whoa. Is that loaded, dude?
mARVIN
Yeah.
jaRED
It's on safety, right?
mARVIN
Yeah, it's on safety.
jaRED
Cool. Where'd you get that? My brother got a Uzi from some -- oh shit -- 
He looks over down the hall, lowers his voice leans in to Marvin.
jARED (CONT'D)
-- From some gook's dead hands, man. I swear. Bunch of gooks got shot up. My brother went out to this place and grabbed it right from his hands. But he sold it for like a hundred bucks.
mARVIN
You're brother's a bad motherfucker, huh?
Jared looks at Marvin, up and down.
jaRED
No, he's not. 
Marvin gives the kid a strange look and then Jared goes back to his video games. Then Courtney comes out with Charlie.
cOURTNEY
Come on, Marvin. Let's go.
cHARLIE
Whoa. You guys gotta leave right away?
cOURTNEY
Yeah, we should. 
cHARLIE
We can smoke some or watch some TV or something. Play some X-Box or something.
jARED
Hey are you smoking ice? Can I have a hit? Pretty please?
cHARLIE
Shut the fuck up.
cOURTNEY
No, Charlie. We better go. I'll call you later, okay?
cHARLIE
All right, if you guys really have to split.
Marvin gets up and walks to the door with Courtney. They walk out as Charlie holds the door open for them, watching them cross the street, seeing the green machine.
cHARLIE (CONT'D)
Whoa, dude. That your ride?
Marvin looks over his shoulder at the guy, doesn't say a thing, walks right to his car with Courtney and they get in, Courtney waving at Charlie as he waves back, waiting for them to leave before he shuts the door.
iNT. courtney's apartment - nIGHT 
Marvin sits back on the couch, watching TV. Courtney sits close to him. The place is dark with just the TV light and a small lamp next to the couch.
On the coffee table are a few lines of coke. Courtney rails one and hands Marvin the dollar bill and he takes his turn.
cOURTNEY
He's a really good guy, you know? He's had his problems, sure. But so has everybody else. I mean, he's a good person with a good heart. And he's one of my good friends and you can't just turn your back on your friends, you know?
mARVIN
Uh huh.
She rails another line and hands the dollar over to him.
cOURTNEY
I mean, friendship is bigger than drugs. I won't let that ruin what I think of him or the good times we shared together, sober or high. It wasn't about the shit, you know? Well sometimes it was, but a lot of it was him.
Marvin looks up at her curiously. A little bit of coke on his nose.
mARVIN
Sounds like you really like this guy.
She gives Marvin a sexy look, leans in to him, licks the remaining coke off his nose, rubs it in her mouth. 
mARVIN (CONT'D)
Thanks.
cOURTNEY
Sure.
She leans in and starts to kiss him, but she pulls back.
cOURTNEY (CONT'D)
Hold on, hold on. We hafta smoke a bowl first.
She gets up and walks into the little kitchen, then comes back with her stuff. In the pipe she hands to Marvin is Crystal Meth.
Courtney looks over at Marvin with a fat smile as he holds the torch and the pipe, looking at it like it's a foreign thing.
cOURTNEY (CONT'D)
You ever smoked it?
mARVIN
Never smoked it. Snorted it. In a different form.
cOURTNEY
Really? Like back in the seventies and stuff?
mARVIN
Yeah, back then. Even after then.
cOURTNEY
Here. Let me go first. I haven't smoked it in like almost two weeks.
He hands her back what she gave him and watches her light it up and take a puff. But when she does it, her lips, her eyes, her hair, her body language, it's a sexy thing.
She smiles wide, almost bursts out laughing and leans back on the couch, handing the stuff over to Marvin. 
She watches him smoke it, taking a much bigger hit than she did. She looks at him as he puts the pipe down, staring into his eyes.
mARVIN
What is it?
cOURTNEY
You're a really nice guy. You know that? 
MARVIN
I guess so.
cOURTNEY
And I feel like you know how to treat a girl. Like you show a lot of respect.
mARVIN
I do. I'm good at that.
cOURTNEY
You're easy to chill with. You seem so safe to be with.
mARVIN
You're safe with me. I guarantee.
cOURTNEY
And you're really sexy. 
mARVIN
Yeah, I guess.
She leans in to him and then they start to make out.
cOURTNEY
Wait. Let's take another hit. Me then you then me then you again, okay?
mARVIN
Yeah, sure. Let's do it. I'm game.
moments later
Marvin and Courtney are on the bed and they're going at it. It's a very passionate, energetic love session.
morning
Marvin sits up on Courtney's bed, eyes wide, watching TV, more than a little out of it. He has no shirt, sitting in boxers.
Courtney is in the shower. Marvin looks over his shoulder, listening to the sound of the water in the bathroom. He fidgets with his wrist watch.
His cell phone rings and he looks for it like a hawk, finds it, opens it up, stands up.
mARVIN
Hello. Who's this?
tOMMY (O.C.)
It's Tommy, dumb fuck. You take care of your shit last night, Marvin? 
mARVIN
My shit? What shit?
tOMMY (O.c.)
You kill that broad you was with?
mARVIN
Uh...yeah, yeah. Sure, I did. Last night.
tOMMY (O.C.)
Really? 'Cause I been hearing different.
mARVIN
No, actually I didn't -- 
He looks over to see if she notices, but the shower is still running.
mARVIN (CONT'D)
-- I didn't do that yet. I'm working on it.
tOMMY (O.C.)
Where the fuck is she?
MARVIN
Right here. She's in the shower.
iNT. HOTEL ROOM - DAY 
Tommy sits on the bed, suit and tie, hair coifed up and back, holding a shotgun. Three of his men stand around him.
tOMMY
She's in the shower?
mARVIN (O.C.)
Yeah, she's just about finished. She's almost done. You want to talk to her?
Tommy holds the phone out and looks at it, as if what he hears he can't believe.
tOMMY
Marvin...listen. I know you know what you're doing. You're good. There's no doubt. But don't squander it, my friend. I should have told you about the girl, I admit. Especially knowing you. That was my fault. I'm sorry about that. 
mARVIN (O.C.)
Yeah, uh huh. Okay. So what are you fucking saying?
tOmmy
What am I saying? I'm saying you shouldn't waste time with this. It's not something to fuck with.
mARVIN (O.C.)
Uh huh, go on. What else?
tOMMY
Marvin...do me a favor. Look out the window.
iNT. cOURTNEY'S APARTMENT - DAY
mARVIN
What for? What are you talking about? What fucking window?
tOMMY (O.C.)
Just go to the window and take a peek.
Marvin walks over to the window, looks out to the street, sees a black sedan and across from it is an identical one.
mARVIN
So I got a tail? Who gives a fuck? Ain't like I never had one before.
tOMMY (O.C.)
Marvin, I'm on your side. I'm trying to help you. Do you need a couple guys? I'm in town, I thought you should know, and if you need a little backup...
Marvin grabs his hair as he walks around, paces about the room.
mARVIN
No, I don't need any fucking -- look, I got it, it's all under control. Don't worry about me. Just get the fuck out of my face for a minute, all right? Look I gotta go, I'll call you back or something.
Marvin snaps the phone shut and tosses it on the couch. He rubs his head repeatedly, thinking of something to do.
Courtney comes out of the bathroom with just a towel, her wet hair dangling on her shoulders. She frantically runs up to Marvin and jumps in his arms, kissing him.
cOURTNEY
That was the best fucking shower ever. 
mARVIN
Was it? You should have invited me.
She practically drags him into her bedroom.
cOURTNEY
After we fuck, we'll shower.
She throws him on the bed, ripping off her towel and embracing him and kissing his face and neck.
cOURTNEY (CONT'D)
What do you want to do today? I'm coming with you wherever you go.
mARVIN
I can't stay. I gotta go to New Orleans. Fuck. What time is it?
cOURTNEY
I'm going to New Orleans with you. 
mARVIN
No, no. You can't. Actually, I need you to listen to me.
cOURTNEY
Bull shit. Don't even argue with me. I'm so bored around here and I'm coming with you.
mARVIN
I don't know if you should.
cOURTNEY
Shut up. Don't say that. Of course I should. Oh my God it's gonna be so much fun with you.
She kisses him several times.
mARVIN
I don't know about that. I got a lot to do. I gotta go down to Memphis, see about this guy, then I gotta go straight through without stopping to New Orleans, then after that I gotta deal with this whole business thing and see this other guy -- 
cOURTNEY
Let's go somewhere fun today. Let's go out and fuck around all day.
mARVIN
What? What are you talking about? Where?
cOURTNEY
Anywhere. The mall, the park, the movies, the fair, the river, the zoo, the library...anywhere.
Marvin looks at her, as she tries to catch her breath and he, too is a little out of breath.
mARVIN
Okay.
montage - two PEAS IN A POD
--Out on the street, skipping to a beat, Marvin and Courtney go hand in hand into the bright sunny day, down a busy shopping center.
--Marvin and Courtney walk through the mall with big smiles, a whole lot of affection towards each other, as they head in and out of various shops.
--She runs in to an ice cream shop and they get a few cones. Marvin looks around the area, paranoid but happy all the same, as he spots some men in nice suits with sunglasses.
--Courtney walks into one of her favorite stores and Marvin follows her. He notices the men clocking him and he walks with Courtney over to the women's section. 
She grabs some things, sexy things, and goes into the dressing room, dragging Marvin in as he smiles at the three men watching him from a distance.
--At the park, it's a seventy-five degree day with a great big crowd. Marvin pulls up in his Chevelle, gets out, looks over, sees a sedan pull up five or six spots down.
Marvin goes to his trunk, grabs a basketball, opens the door for Courtney, and they rush over to the basketball court, bunch of kids at one end and nobody at the other.
They mess around on the court, as Marvin looks over and sees the men in the suits and sunglasses appearing. He motions to Courtney to join the other kids at the opposite end.
They walk over and initiate a game out of the kids, with Marvin in the middle, looking over at the men and throwing his hands up like Jordan with a cocky smile, continuing to play in the mix.
--Courtney and Marvin watch a fast-paced, action thriller in the movie theater, once again packed with people.
Courtney grabs Marvin's hand and puts it on her thigh, getting in as close to him as she can get, snuggling with him, kissing his neck, then turning back to the movie. 
Marvin looks around the room curiously, then spots a couple guys in the corner, same suits, no sunglasses but regular glasses.
He looks to the other side of the theater in the back, couple more guys just like the other two.
Marvin nudges Courtney, tells her that he is getting up and she gives him a fat kiss before he rises, walks down the aisle, and out of the theater. The four men get up and follow suit.
In the bathroom, four men walk in with guns, look around the area, in the stalls, at each other.
Then Marvin comes in, two guns, two silencers. As soon as they turn and see him, half a dozen shots and four bodies drop to the floor instantly. He stands with a smile, arms still raised.
Marvin comes back into the dark theater with some popcorn, some candy, and some pop. He sits beside Courtney and she immediately embraces him as they continue to enjoy the movie. 
--Marvin and Courtney walk along at the fair, eating hot dogs, when they run up to Ferris wheel and they have got to have a go.
They get on and start making out as soon as it gets underway. Marvin looks up and sees a strange man with a strange woman sitting right behind them, not having too much fun.
--The Ferris wheel spins around and around and as soon as it stops, Marvin and Courtney get out and make a dash for it. The couple behind them methodically get out, walk into the direction Marvin and Courtney went, like a pair of robots. 
--Over at one booth, Marvin and Courtney have their faces painted something colorful. They walk around with big clown faces, big slurpy cups, and a couple souvenirs.
Approaching them from a distance are the robotic couple. Marvin and Courtney weave in and out of the crowd, heading straight towards the couple, Courtney oblivious to them.
But as Marvin gets closer, he secretly swipes a mallet used for that stupid bell game, hides it behind him, and just as the couple approach, Marvin nudges Courtney to the side and he takes one vicious whack that clobbers both the woman and the man directly in the face, knocking them to the ground.
Marvin drops the mallet, grabs Courtney's hand, and they run off into the distance.
--Marvin and Courtney stroll down the street, hand in hand, as she pulls him into a small alley and starts to make out with him. He pokes one eye out, sees a couple men from across the street, casually walking toward him.
Marvin grabs Courtney's hand and they continue to stroll down the street with bright smiles.
--On the riverside, Courtney runs to the bank, grabs Marvin's hand, as she takes off her shirt and her pants, just in her bra and panties and she walks in, saying how cold it is.
She shouts for him to join her but he throws up his hands, says he can't swim, and she runs up out of the water and grabs him, taking his shirt and sort of wrestling with him in a playful way.
He takes one look around the fairly empty scene and sees five or six guys standing around, pretending to play chess, really just watching Marvin and Courtney. 
Then, not far from the chess game, Marvin's eagle eyes spot a van in the parking lot, a long distance from the shore. Marvin notices the tinted windows, then the back one starts to roll down electronically.
Marvin quickly tosses his clothes off and to the side, grabs Courtney and they jump in the cold water, as he tries to swim but really can only dog paddle, looking like a fool as she laughs at him and grabs him, kissing him, taking him down under the water with her.
From the distance, the back window comes all the way down and it's Tommy. Tommy smiles to himself, shakes his head, smokes his cigar, makes a notion to the driver, and then out of the van pop four or five men.
These four or five men walk over to the other men pretending to play chess, watching Marvin and Courtney, and in one fell swoop, Tommy's men with quick knife attacks, dismantle the chess guys.
Marvin and Courtney come up from the water, Marvin coughing and walking up to the shore. He looks over at the dead men and sees Tommy's smile, the window rolling up, the van driving off.
Marvin catches his breath, just as Courtney runs up from behind him, tackles him, makes out with him on the shore.
--At the zoo, everybody's watching the beautiful panda bears with a last chance kind of intensity, a big crowd at the front of the fence. 
But in the back, Marvin and Courtney secretly pass the joint back and forth.
--Marvin and Courtney run around the zoo like little children, with her pointing at this area of animals and that area of animals, and he just lets her take him wherever she wants him to go. 
Out from nowhere a couple more expressionless men appear, follow Marvin and Courtney into the underwater exhibit.
--As Marvin and Courtney disappear, the men follow behind into the shadows. Marvin reaches out at the entrance, grabs them both, blows their brains out, drags them out of sight.
He runs back up to Courtney who is preoccupied with the colorful fish and rejoins her, blood on his face as he looks into the tank, sees his reflection, notices the blood, and wipes it off just as she looks over and plants a fat kiss on his lips.
--At the library, through rows of books and books, the place is nearly empty, but in the back, Marvin and Courtney are having sex on the floor. 
Marvin looks up, looks around, sees a couple figures in the distance, continues to embrace Courtney. Then the two men approach even closer around some books, looking like they really mean business.
Marvin grabs Courtney, tells her somebody is coming, and they jump up and duck around the corner.
As the two guys come to the spot where Marvin and Courtney were having sex, they look around, check the floor, a zippo on the ground and one of them picks it up.
Marvin, holding onto Courtney, her back against the shelf, still giving it to her, secretly takes his 9mm, pokes out some books, fires one relatively silenced shot at the man standing, drops him, another at the guy on the floor, kills him, all without looking or missing a beat on Courtney.
She stops and looks at him, says something like "what was that?" He plays it off, shrugs his shoulders, kisses her, all the while hiding his gun from her, still having sex with her against the shelf.
end mONTAGE
iNT. MARVIN'S CAR - NIGHT
The sun sets, Marvin's eyes are still wide open. He looks over at Courtney and she seems restless, playing with her hair, staring out the window.
cOURTNEY
Fuck, I need a couple more hits. I didn't have enough last time.
mARVIN
I had plenty. I'm fucking high. 
She looks over at him and teases him.
cOURTNEY
Come on, we got all that left. You're gonna have to smoke like a champ when we get back so we can fuck all night and then all day tomorrow and then all night the next night.
She gives him one of her patent sexy looks and he shakes his head.
mARVIN
Damn...you are a wild girl, aren't you?
cOURTNEY
Of course, but I'm sweet, too.
mARVIN
You are sweet. Definitely sweet.
cOURTNEY
Does that mean I get to come with you? To New Orleans? I wanna go so bad. Please, please, please. Let me come.
mARVIN
Umm...sure. Why not? If that's what you want to do. But I can't guarantee -- 
cOURTNEY
Awesome. I'm so excited. I never get to go on road trips. I never get to do fun things with guys like you. You're so much fun to be around. What are you going there for anyway?
MARVIN
What? Where?
cOURTNEY
New Orleans. What are you going there for?
He looks over with a serious look.
mARVIN
What do you mean?
cOURTNEY
I mean, I know you're getting that money and it's a business thing, but what type of business is it?
He thinks about this, as she twirls her hair, waiting for a response.
cOURTNEY (CONT'D)
It's drugs, isn't it? That stuff in the suitcase, in your trunk. That's what you're selling. Huh? It must be Heroin, huh? I bet you anything that's what it is. You can tell me, I won't narc on you.
He smiles at her anxious behavior.
mARVIN
You want a cut?
cOURTNEY
No way! That's a lot of money. How much will you give me?
mARVIN
Thirty percent.
cOURTNEY
Thirty percent? That's all?
He gives her a strange look and she punches his arm in a joking way.
cOURTNEY (CONT'D)
I'm just kidding. I don't want any of it. I just want you. Now let's get the fuck back to my apartment and get high before I rip my fucking hair out.
iNT. cOURTNEY'S APARTMENT - NIGHT
Marvin sits on the couch, watching TV, next to Courtney, in just a long T-shirt, looks like a former boyfriend's old shirt, and nothing else, her bare feet on the coffee table.
She prepares the Meth and takes a toke. She blows it out and smiles wide to herself.
cOURTNEY
Fuck yeah, that was a good hit. I felt that shit run through my veins.
She passes the pipe to Marvin who pays no attention.
cOURTNEY (CONT'D)
Marvin...here. Take a hit.
He looks over at her, a frantic, fidgety expression.
mARVIN
I'm good. You go ahead.
cOURTNEY
Bull shit, come on. Don't be a pussy. We got all this left.
mARVIN
So save it up. I don't want no more.
cOURTNEY
You can't save it up. You gotta smoke it till it's gone. Don't you know that? You of all people, Marvin.
mARVIN
Yeah, well...I'm fucking good. I'm high as a motherfucker. What the fuck time is it anyway?
cOURTNEY
It's like eleven or something. I don't know. What does it matter?
mARVIN
Is it Friday or Saturday?
cOURTNEY
What does it matter? Let's just smoke this bowl so we can...
She leans in to him and sort of climbs on top of him, kissing him and licking his ears, then his phone rings.
cOURTNEY (CONT'D)
What's that?
mARVIN
What?
cOURTNEY
I hear your phone ringing. Where is it?
He looks around for it, as does she, in a quick, panicky way. She grabs his pocket and sticks her hand in, coming out with the phone.
mARVIN
Hey, gimme that. It's business.
cOURTNEY
Whatever. It's your wife, isn't it?
mARVIN
No, I don't have a wife. Just gimme the phone. 
cOURTNEY
You don't have to answer it.
mARVIN
Not really, but I should.
cOURTNEY
Why?
mARVIN
Might be important. 
cOURTNEY
Whatever. I'm gonna answer it.
mARVIN
No, no. Don't you answer it. Just let it ring. Here gimme that shit, I'll take another hit. One more and that's it.
Courtney doesn't listen and flips it open.
cOURTNEY
Hello, who's this? This is Marvin's new girlfriend, Courtney. Marvin can't come to the phone right now because he's about to fuck me in the ass. But if you leave your name and number, he'll give you a call right back. Thanks a lot. Peace.
She shuts the phone and tosses it aside. He laughs at her and she jumps on him, kissing him.
mARVIN
Yeah, you're a real funny girl. Were you serious about that?
cOURTNEY
What? 
MARVIN
You know.
cOURTNEY
Fucking me in the ass?
mARVIN
Yeah.
She gives him a disgusting look and he reels back.
mARVIN (CONT'D)
Just checking.
cOURTNEY
That's disgusting. I don't do that and I never will.
mARVIN
All right, well you said it. I was just checking. 
cOURTNEY
I was just kidding, Marvin. 
mARVIN
Okay, okay. Fuck. Forget it. 
She looks at him with an endearing look and smothers him with a passionate kiss.
iNT. hOTEL ROOM - NIGHT
Playing cards in the room are some of Tommy's guys. Tommy sits on the bed with room service in front of his face, a big thing of food and a gorgeous girl.
He laughs to himself as he shuts the phone and sets it aside.
tOMMY
Unbelievable, this guy. Just can't help himself. That's some funny shit. Good old Marvin. What a character. I shoulda known. Hey, baby, why don't you come over and chomp on this. This is some serious food. Come sit down beside me.
The girl sits her half-naked ass on the bed and starts to chow down.
iNT. COURTNEY'S APARTMENT - nIGHT
Marvin sits on Courtney's bed, watching a movie. He just stares ahead, lost in a daze. Courtney comes in from the bathroom with a towel on her head, some pajama shorts, and an old T-shirt.
She sits down next to Marvin and starts to paint her toe nails. Marvin watches her with curiosity.
cOURTNEY
What? 
mARVIN
Nothing. Do you know what the hell time it is?
cOURTNEY
It's like four.
mARVIN
Four in the morning?
cOURTNEY
Yeah.
mARVIN
Which morning? Four in the morning today or four in the morning tomorrow?
cOURTNEY
What? Today. What else?
mARVIN
We skipped a day. It's Sunday, isn't it?
cOURTNEY
It's not Sunday. Why would it be Sunday? It was just fucking Friday. If anything it's Saturday. 
mARVIN
Shit. I'm fucking running late. I'm pressing time. It's Saturday, are you fucking sure?
cOURTNEY
Oh my God, what the hell is your problem? Why are you so worried and paranoid all the time? 
mARVIN
I was supposed to be there on Sunday. It's gotta be at least Sunday. Did I pass out?
cOURTNEY
What? When? What are you saying?
mARVIN
Earlier. I must have passed out.
cOURTNEY
I don't know what the hell you're talking about anymore. What's wrong with you?
He stands up and paces about the room in a slight panic. He looks down at her. She nervously plays with her hair, blinks her eyes exaggeratedly, starting and stopping with her toe nails, then getting up and rushing to the bathroom. 
Marvin scratches his head, paces about the room, when Courtney comes back in with a small mirror and a pair of tweezers. 
She sits down and starts to tweak her eyebrows, but she can't seem to do that for too long and she puts it down, goes back to her toes.
mARVIN
What the fuck are you doing?
cOURTNEY
I just woke up. I got out of the shower a little bit ago. I'm getting ready.
mARVIN
You didn't just wake up. 
cOURTNEY
Yes I did. I think I know what I've been doing for the last few hours. Jesus. You're so -- 
She gets up and rushes back to the bathroom, this time shutting the door. 
Marvin looks around the room, a big mess. He takes a big stressful sigh of relief, looks for his watch and puts it on, noticing that it's after nine and he goes to the bathroom door, knocking on it.
cOURTNEY (o.S.) (CONT'D)
What?
mARVIN
Hey we gotta get going. It's after nine. If you're coming with me, you better fucking hurry. 'Cause I'm leaving in fifteen minutes.
She opens the door and looks at him with her toothbrush.
cOURTNEY
What the hell are you saying? I didn't hear a word of that.
mARVIN
What's your problem? Why are you so defensive? Are you coming with me or not?
cOURTNEY
Oh my God, I told you I wanted to go a billion times. Don't freak out on me. It's fucking four o'clock.
mARVIN
It's nine twenty-seven, Courtney. Look.
He sticks out his watch, almost in her face and she tries to figure this lapse of time in her head.
cOURTNEY
Oh my God, what the fuck? I thought it was only four.
She stares at him for a minute, her toothbrush in hand, mouth full of paste, just staring at him and he just stares right back.
mARVIN
What?
cOURTNEY
Nothing. Let's go. I'll get my shit.
She reaches in and kisses him on the mouth, leaving a big mark of toothpaste.
She goes back into the bathroom, shuts the door. Then a knock comes at the door and Marvin hesitates to answer it. He thinks to tell Courtney but the knocks keep coming and he walks over, grabs his gun, goes to the door, just a white tee and boxers.
When he opens the door with his gun in hand, three young punks stand with their own handguns. But as soon as they see Marvin, they hide their guns.
mARVIN
What?
young punk
Hey, uh...Courtney here?
mARVIN
She's in the bathroom.
yOUNG PUNK
Well, uh...why don't you tell her Freddie's here and he wants his money back.
mARVIN
Okay. That it? Anything else?
Freddie looks back at his buddies who don't know what to say.
freddie
No, that's it. We just want our fucking money which she fucking bonked us for. We'll be down in the lobby if she knows what's good for her.
Marvin just stares at the kids with a nervous intensity.
mARVIN
Okay.
He slams the door in their faces.
iNT. apARTMENTS, hallway - DAY
Marvin and Courtney walk down the hall. She's got her suitcase and he's got his. Nervously they walk, all fucked up.
cOURTNEY
You always have to rush things, don't you?
mARVIN
When it's money on the line. I can't be late. Hurry up.
cOURTNEY
It's not that much money to be worrying about anyway.  
mARVIN
It's a lot to me.
cOURTNEY
Whatever.
They come down the stairs and just before they get to the lobby, Courtney spots the three punks and she stops.
cOURTNEY (CONT'D)
Wait, wait. Who the hell is that?
Marvin looks over at the guys who don't seem to notice the two.
mARVIN
Oh yeah, those guys came up, asking about you. Come on, we gotta hit the fucking road. 
cOURTNEY
We can't go that way.
mARVIN
Why not? That's the exit.
cOURTNEY
I don't want them to see me. Let's go the back way.
She grabs his arm and they turn and walk off in the opposite direction, down the emergency exit, which causes an alarm.
eXT. aPARTMENTS - DAY
Marvin and Courtney rush out the back way, around the front to Marvin's car. Just as they reach the car, the three kids with their guns out approach Marvin.
Courtney stops and stares at the three kids angrily walking up to them.
cOURTNEY
Oh my God, they all have guns.
mARVIN
So?
cOURTNEY
I don't want to get shot.
The boys stand courageously in front of Marvin and Courtney.
fREDDIE
Courtney, you sold us bonk.
cOURTNEY
What? Are you serious?
frEDDIE
Don't play that shit. You know what it was, whatever the fuck it was, and we want our money back.
cOURTNEY
I didn't sell you any bonk, Freddie. It wasn't me.
frEDDIE
What the fuck ever. I can tell you're tweaking, so just admit it and give me back my goddamn money and we'll be square.
cOURTNEY
I'm telling you, Freddie. I swear I didn't -- 
mARVIN
How much was it?
frEDDIE
A lot.
mARVIN
How much?
frEDDIE
One-fifty. And since she fucked us, I think -- 
mARVIN
You fucked these guys?
cOURTNEY
What? No! Fucking hell no!
frEDDIE
You fucked us, Courtney, and you know you did. Especially Greg. You should see him now. The look on his face, it's permanent. So just give us the money back and we'll be -- 
Marvin pulls out his wallet, grabs a couple hundred, gives it to Freddie.
mARVIN
All right, get the fuck out of here. Come on, we gotta get going. We're so fucking late. I hate being late.
Freddie takes the two hundred and looks at it, looks over at his buddies. Marvin walks to the car as Courtney gives the boys a sorry look, then he opens the door for her and she gets in.
Then Marvin walks around the back to the other side, but Freddie grabs his shoulder as he passes.
fREDDIE
Hey, man. You can't just buy us off. That fucking ice princess fucked my buddy Greg up. He had a fucking seizure, man. That shit she sold us almost killed him.
maRVIN
Almost, huh? That's how it goes. Consider that a sign. Have a nice day.
Marvin starts to go when the guy touches Marvin's shoulder again, and this time he knows he's crossed the line. Marvin looks at him with a strong face.
fREDDIE
This two hundred doesn't cover it. How 'bout you give us three for the damage that bitch did, and we'll call it a deal. I think that more than evens it out, right?
Marvin looks at the kid without pity, takes out his gun and in the swiftest of moves, no silencer, takes out all three kids, blows their brains right out.
iNT. MARVIN'S CAR - DAY
Courtney sits in the passenger's seat, breathing heavy, watching the whole scene from the right side mirror. Marvin gets in the car, starts it right up, laughs to himself.
mARVIN
Holy shit. First time out of the gate. You see that? That's amazing.
She looks at him with wide eyes, a line of blood on his cheek.
mARVIN (CONT'D)
What?
cOURTNEY
Nothing. I didn't say anything. Let's go.
He takes off in a hurry, doing a fat burnout, leaving the three bodies in smoke.
lATER
Driving down the freeway in a frantic but controllable pace, watching his driving as if he's being tested, Marvin switches from lane to lane, quick but smooth.
Courtney stares at him, sizing him up. He turns and looks at her.
mARVIN
What?
cOURTNEY
Where are we going?
mARVIN
Not far. Just outside of Memphis.
cOURTNEY
You're not a drug dealer, are you?
mARVIN
No, not really.
cOURTNEY
Well...where are you taking me? I mean, where the hell are we going?
mARVIN
To New Orleans. You said you wanted to go. I can't take you back now.
cOURTNEY
I'm not saying I want to go back. I'm just -- 
She throws out a big sigh, frustrated, mumbling to herself.
cOURTNEY (CONT'D)
Oh God, what am I doing? I'm so stupid.
mARVIN
Hey, are you hungry? I'm not really hungry but if you are we can stop and get something to eat, if you want.
cOURTNEY
What do you want with me?
mARVIN
What? 
cOURTNEY
What do you want with me? What are we doing anyway?
mARVIN
What are you talking about? We're going down to get our money and I'm giving you a cut. 
cOURTNEY
Okay, so then what? What are we gonna do when we get there? What are we gonna do with that money?
mARVIN
Then we spend it. Till it's gone. That's how it works, right?
She turns her head, stares out the window at the scenery.
lATER
Marvin pulls into Memphis, cruising through the main busy center, strolling through the big city and into the suburbs.
He pulls into a quiet, average-looking street. His Chevelle comes to a stop at a small house, a run-down Ford on the lawn with the hood popped up.
mARVIN
All right. Just wait here. It shouldn't take more than a couple minutes.
She stares off into the distance, biting her thumb nail. He gets out of the car and walks up to the front door, ringing the bell and waiting for an answer.
She looks over at him, impatiently waiting, unable to stand still. Then he decides to turn the knob, which it opens right up, and he goes inside.
She looks around the neighborhood. It's a quiet day. A kid on a bike comes up, looks at the car, sees Courtney and hightails it. 
Then a mailman pulls up to the house and gets out, just as Marvin comes out, hiding his gun, smiling at the mail carrier, getting into his car.
mARVIN (CONT'D)
He ain't home. Gonna have to make a second stop.
cOURTNEY
Where?
mARVIN
Not far. Local bar.
cOURTNEY
It's barely dark.
mARVIN
Doesn't matter. He should be there.
cOURTNEY
Who is he?
He looks over at her with a sincere look.
mARVIN
I don't know.
Then he starts the car, right up again, and he takes off. 
lATER
On the ride to the bar, it's quiet in the car and Marvin looks over at Courtney, staring out her window.
mARVIN
Hey, um...you want to go in, maybe have a drink, play some pool for a little bit? Maybe they got karaoke, I don't know.
cOURTNEY
No, I'm fine. Just do what you have to do.
He pulls up to the bar, off to the side lot.
mARVIN
You sure you don't want to come in, have a drink?
cOURTNEY
While you do what?
mARVIN
I'll be right there with you. We could play some pool.
She gives him a look of disbelief.
cOURTNEY
No, I just want to wait in the car.
mARVIN
Okay. I won't be long.
He gets out and leaves her to head into the bar. She gets out a cigarette and starts to smoke.
iNT. bar - nIGHT
Marvin enters the little local pub, looks around the room, fairly packed, lot of hillbillies, most of which pick up on Marvin.
Marvin looks around, searches for his subject like a hawk, can't seem to find him right away so he goes to the bar, orders a drink.
eXT. bAR - nIGHT
Courtney gets out of Marvin's car, walks around, smoking, a cool wind chill breezing by as she takes some time to do some serious thinking.
iNT. bAR - sAME
As Marvin drinks, he looks around the room, checking each male individually. Then a woman comes up beside him. A cowgirl looking for a good time.
cowgirl
Hey there. How you doin' tonight?
Marvin turns and smiles at her, liking what he sees.
mARVIN
I'm doing fine, thank you. How are you?
cOWGIRL
All right, I guess. Just trying to blow off some steam, if you know what I mean.
mARVIN
Yeah, me too. 
She plays with her drink with her fingers, twirls her hair, bounces her half-naked leg, working Marvin up and down.
cOWGIRL
So maybe after those guys finish, you wanna play me a game of pool?
mARVIN
Oh you like pool, huh?
cOWGIRL
Oh hell yeah. Anything with a big stick and smooth balls.
She's had a few drinks already and she laughs this off to herself and he goes along with it.
mARVIN
Yeah, I'll play a game. Why not? 
cOWGIRL
Great. I'll go tell the guys we're next.
mARVIN
All right. But hey...I was just wondering something. I'm looking for a guy, perhaps you might know him, frequents this bar. I was wondering if maybe you seen him around lately.
cOWGIRL
I'm pretty familiar with the fellas here. Who is it?
mARVIN
Uh...Dennis...Dennis something. Dennis Perkins, Parkins, Porkins...
cOWGIRL
Oh dirty Dennis? You're looking for him?
mARVIN
Blonde hair, about five-eight, small, pushes dope.
cOWGIRL
That's Dennis. I didn't realize you were looking for him. I'm sorry about that. My mistake. You looked like a real man's man when you came in. Yeah, Dennis is right down at the end of the bar, playing the punch boards.
She motions over to where the guy sits. Marvin looks around a few people, sees the lonely drunk at the other end of the bar.
MARVIN
Thank you.
Marvin gets up and starts to walk over to Dennis.
cOWGIRL
Well...you still wanna play a game for fun? 
He pays no attention to her, walks right over to Dennis, some old crazy drunk next to him rambling about an ancient story.
Marvin looks down at the old man, grabs him by his coat, drags him off the stool and pushes him away, to which the old man takes offense.
old man
Hey, you prick. What you think you're doing, touching me, moving me like that?
The man walks up to Marvin, gets in his face. Marvin looks around, only a few people watching the little scene, so Marvin punches the old man in the face, knocking him back several feet onto the ground where he passes out.
Then Marvin takes a seat next to dirty Dennis. Dennis looks over at Marvin with a shit-eating grin. Marvin stares back at him.
mARVIN
How you doin'?
dENNIS
Who the hell are you?
mARVIN
Just a stranger from out of town, looking for a good time. I hear you're the kind of guy that can help me out.
Dennis pulls back with a sick face, looking around at the room, trying to show his moxie.
dENNIS
The hell buddy? You think I'm some kind of faggot or something? Like I just suck anybody's dick that wants a lick? 
mARVIN
That's what I hear.
Dennis looks Marvin up and down, sizing him up. Then he smiles wide, showing his bad teeth. He leans in closer to Marvin, lowers his voice.
dENNIS
All right then. Show me what you got.
eXT. bAR - nIGHT
Outside, Dennis leads Marvin out back in the alley, stopping to take a piss. Marvin waits for him to finish. Dennis turns around, faces Marvin.
dENNIS
All right, you handsome devil. Where we gonna do this?
Marvin looks around the area.
mARVIN
How about right here?
Dennis smiles and approaches Marvin, who then takes out his gun, fires one loud shot right under the man's chin, dropping him to the ground. The echo from the shot rises into the night.
Over next to Marvin's car, smoking a cigarette, Courtney reacts to the gun shot. She looks around. Then Marvin appears from the alley, casually walking up to her.
mARVIN (CONT'D)
All right. Let's go.
She looks at him with such confusion, tosses her cigarette aside, and the two get into his Chevelle and off he drives into the night.
iNT. motel room - nIGHT
Marvin and Courtney walk in, looking beat and drained. He sets his keys down, takes off his coat, sits right on the bed.
She looks around the room as if she is unhappy with what she sees. 
mARVIN
What's wrong?
cOURTNEY
Nothing's wrong. Stop asking me that. I'm fine. I just have a stomach ache.
He gets up, takes her by the hand, leads her to the bed and they sit.
mARVIN
Listen...it's almost over. I'm almost done. After tomorrow, I'll be out. I'm sorry about all this shit. I don't want you to be unhappy with me.
cOURTNEY
I'm not unhappy. I'm not feeling great, so what? Do I have to be in a good mood all the time?
mARVIN
No, I just don't want you to -- 
cOURTNEY
So just stop riding my ass for it. I have a little bit of a stomach ache but it'll be gone by tomorrow morning, so everything's fine.
He looks at her endearingly. He reaches in and kisses her, trying to throw a couple hints but she stops him.
cOURTNEY (CONT'D)
I'm sorry. I have to go to the bathroom.
mARVIN
What are you sorry for?
She looks at him, then her face changes to where she looks as if she's going to cry, but she gets up and doesn't let Marvin see a tear, going into the bathroom.
Marvin lays back on the bed, kicking off his shoes, passing out.
bathroom
Courtney looks at herself in the mirror. She looks worn out, in need of rest. She cries for a moment but stops herself, washes her face, then comes out of the bathroom.
main room
Courtney looks over at Marvin and sees him sleeping. She looks around the room, sees his car keys. This has her thinking. She bites her thumb, weighing the possibilities.
morning
Marvin sleeps in the bed when his wristwatch alarm goes off. It takes him a second but he comes to, checks the time, just after five-thirty. He takes a big sigh, rubs his eyes, then sits up.
He first notices the TV, showing some stupid movie, fairly loud. He watches it for a moment, aimlessly, then he checks around the room.
One quick look and his eyes find Courtney, sitting on the floor, her back resting against the foot of the bed, staring at the TV.
He gets up and reaches in and kisses her on the cheek and walks over to the bathroom.
On the floor, Courtney sits in a trance. Her teeth clatter, her head shakes, she twirls her hair obsessively, breathing heavy.
When Marvin is done from the bathroom, he comes out and looks down at Courtney. He approaches her from the front and then he understands.
mARVIN
Shit, Courtney. What the fuck...?
She doesn't even turn her head from the TV. He looks around, thinking what to do. He sees his car keys on the floor and picks them up, and right next to the bed is an opened suitcase.
In the suitcase, papers are spilled out, his documents here and there, and his stash of drugs are gone except for a small bag of white powder. 
Marvin sits down on the side of the bed, a deep sigh, putting his papers back in order. He looks over at her a few times, trying to see if she'll snap out of it.
He takes out his pipe from his pocket and loads himself a morning bowl. He takes a hit and looks over at Courtney, sticks his arm out.
mARVIN (CONT'D)
Hey...Courtney. You want to hit this?
She doesn't even move.
mARVIN (CONT'D)
You sure? It's pretty good shit.
Same result and he takes another puff himself and then sets it aside. He stands up, takes a peek out the window, then his phone starts to ring. He flips it open.
mARVIN (CONT'D)
Yes, I'm up and ready. I'm leaving right now. I'll call you later.
He snaps the phone shut and throws it on the bed. Then he takes a good look at Courtney and kneels down beside her. 
mARVIN (CONT'D)
Courtney, um...I gotta be leaving pretty soon. I know you're a little fucked up right now, but we should probably get going pretty quick, okay?
This time she turns to him with an angry face, as if she's snapped out of it except her nerves still acting up.
cOURTNEY
Get the fuck out of my face, Marvin. Just go do what you gotta do. Leave me alone.
mARVIN
Come on, it takes a long time to get there, and I'm late already. We have to go straight through.
cOURTNEY
Stop fucking talking to me. I already told you I'm not going.
He reaches in and grabs her hand but she snatches it back.
mARVIN
Courtney, listen...I'm sorry about everything. But it's almost over and then we'll be sitting pretty. And I was kind of thinking about it a little. You're right, it's not that much money, maybe not even worth all the trouble, but it's enough to where we won't have to worry about money for quite a while. 
She shakes her head at him, trying to find something to say.
mARVIN (CONT'D)
We could go on a vacation to the Caribbean or Hawaii or someplace really nice. I was thinking about the coast of Italy, seeing Rome, the whole thing. It's not like forever or anything. Just a little vacation, you know? Get away from all this and you know, clear our minds. I mean, I never intended this to be paradise money. Other people could see it like that, people who could start fresh with it, get a second chance. But me, I know what I am, what made me what I am, and what I'm always gonna be. So that money's just a little vacation from the truth, from the one guy I can't run from, you know what I mean? 
She looks over at him with a sad face and she starts to cry. 
cOURTNEY
Just go, Marvin. I'm taking the bus back to St. Louis and that's it. I'm not going to fucking wherever it is with you. I just met you. Just leave me alone. I need some time to get my shit together. 
mARVIN
So do I. We could help each other. 
cOURTNEY
No, I don't want any fucking help, goddamnit. You don't know me. You don't know who I am. You can't understand my life. Nobody can. 
mARVIN
Listen, I'm not trying to intervene. I don't give a fuck what you do. Let's just take some time, figure things out.
cOURTNEY
Bull shit. I don't want to deal with you anymore. I'm doing this on my own, and I'm not ready to quit and when I am, I'll quit on my own, do you understand?
He looks at her face, a few tears, as she turns away from him and watches the TV. He then leans in, gives her a kiss on the lips.
mARVIN
Courtney, listen. I wasn't supposed to get to know you, but I want to. And I want to be with you. You make me feel good. That's all that matters to me. If you stay here, I'll come back for you, okay? 
cOURTNEY
I just want to go home. Just leave me alone.
Her wide eyes swell up, aimlessly staring at the TV. He gives her one kiss on the forehead and rises to his feet.
Without looking back, he grabs his suitcase, his phone, his keys, and walks out, shutting the door.
eXT. moTEL - DAY 
Just barely the crack of dawn, Marvin comes out of the motel and over to his car, which looks like it went on some rural roads, plenty of dirt.
He gets in and tries to start it up, but it won't start. He shakes his head with a weak smile, pops the hood, gets out, does his thing, goes back to the car and then it starts.
inT. marVIN'S CAR - DAY
Driving on the freeway, reaching high speeds once again at a controllable level, Marvin's face is stern, looking straight ahead, daydreaming.
lATER
He pulls into the Big Easy, sometime in the late afternoon, drives through the heart of the city, taking up the new aroma, the fresh scent and feel, as he rolls down his window, his dirty Chevelle strolling through the streets.
He pulls up to a busy intersection, looks at his watch, just nearing five o'clock, and the light turns green and he goes.
lATER
Marvin pulls over to the curb outside a small Catholic church. He gets out and walks to the entrance, going in.
iNT. catholic church
It's the evening, Spanish mass and Marvin sits in one of the pews, praying, as then the organ comes on and everybody rises, taking part in communion.
Marvin waits in line, patiently walking to the front, looking around the small church with curiosity, until he gets to the front.
The priest raises the bread, speaks a few words in Spanish, and gives the piece to Marvin, who eats it and crosses himself, then moves along to the wine and takes his turn there.
When he is finished, he exits the side door quietly.
eXT. CHURCH - sAME
Marvin walks down the steps, over to his car where he gets in, tries to start it, but to no avail.
iNT. mARVIN'S CAR - DAY
Marvin drives quietly in his car with no music, his windows rolled up, lost in deep thought.
lATER
He pulls off to the side of the road. Across the street, a small hotel. Next to it, a luxurious and famous hotel. The area is busy as the sun begins to set and Marvin takes a look over at the small hotel and he gets out of his car.
iNT. deacon's hotel room - night
The door opens in the dark, an old, chubby man, appears with a white robe and some slippers. He is DEACON MORRIS, white hair, mid sixties, charismatic. 
He shuts the door, flips the light switch on, walks in with a slight smile.
He takes off his slippers, walks to his bed, grabs the TV remote, and turns it on. Then he gets up, goes to his dresser, finds some clothes, grabs his phone, dials a number.
deacon Morris
Yes, Thomas, I'm all right. I'm thinking of taking a quick shower and I'll be down in a minute. I'm fine, thank you. Everything's all right. 
He hangs up and goes to the bathroom, shutting the door. A few seconds go by, then the sound of the shower running.
Over by the window, scraping the glass with a tool, Marvin appears on the ledge, taking out a large pane.
Barely holding his grip on the ledge, Marvin tosses the pane aside on the street, climbs in with a struggle, stands up with a shotgun and catches his breath.
The shower stops running from the bathroom immediately. The door opens, the deacon stands with his robe, a shocked look as Marvin smiles, panting, holding the shotgun pointed at the old man.
mARVIN
Hey.
The old man stands still, mouth open.
mARVIN (CONT'D)
Come over here, out from the doorway.
The man does as he is told, slowly, walking over by the TV, staring at Marvin. They just stare at each other, Marvin looking him up and down.
dEACON
May I speak?
mARVIN
Sure.
dEACON
Who are you?
mARVIN
I'm Marvin Jones.
dEACON
Where did you come from?
mARVIN
Chicago. 
dEaCON
So you're my masked assassin in the flesh?
mARVIN
Yeah, that's me. Here at last.
dEACON
Why aren't you down by the square, with the others?
mARVIN
'Cause I'm not a fucking sucker, that's why. And I was running late. It's funny how things turn out.
dEACON
They sure made a scene this morning.
MARVIN
Is that right?
dEACON
You don't know?
MARVIN
No, I got caught up in some stuff. Got here a little late.
dEACON
Well, it's not a pretty sight. People are dead. It's not pretty. I can turn the channel to the news and show you.
mARVIN
Nah, I don't want to see that.
Marvin just stares at him. The Deacon looks around the room, starting to panic. 
dEACON
How did you get in here?
Marvin points behind him, the empty pane.
mARVIN
Window.
dEACON
You climbed up?
mARVIN
No, I climbed down. From the roof.
dEACON
How did you know I was here?
mARVIN
I'm smart. And lucky. It's not easy to do what I do. I'm sure you think different.
dEACON
Who told you I was here? Who was it?
mARVIN
It doesn't matter. It's not about that. 
dEACON
You couldn't have found me. We made sure of that. I have secret service protecting me. I have the United States government in the lobby. They'll be here soon. They check up on me. I'm supposed to be down at the elevator in fifteen minutes.
mARVIN
It's only gonna take five.
The deacon thinks of something to say, playing with his hands.
dEACON
Can I turn the channel to the news, to show you the scene? Just so you know what really happened at the square today.
mARVIN
No, but you can turn it off.  
The deacon turns the TV off, looks around the room, thinking of something to do.
DEACON
So basically, there's nothing left for me to say?
mARVIN
Not really.
dEACON
Just know, either way, a lot of things people say aren't true. And a lot of times, a small detail can be stretched to a lie. And you can understand how a man of my prestige and stature can become involved with this kind of game. I was inevitably swept upstream with the current and maybe I could have done things differently, but I did the best I could under the circumstances.
mARVIN
Yeah, well, in the end, I guess that's all you can do. 
Marvin stands there with the shotgun, looking at the deacon with a strange curiosity. Then he cocks his gun.
dEACON
Wait...can I just have a second to think things through?
MArVIN
There's nothing to think about. You know that. You know exactly where this conversation is going. 
The deacon seems to accept the reply, nodding.
dEACON
Then I would simply ask if I may recite a poem on the hour of my death?
mARVIN
Is it long?
dEACON
No, it's quite brief actually.
Marvin thinks about this, decides it's okay.
mARVIN
Go ahead.
The deacon thinks to himself, trying to remember it. 
dEACON
I have so many lodged in my memory. The perfect one sometimes seems to elude me.
mARVIN
Try real hard.
dEACON
Well...let me see...I suppose I should fall back on Tennyson. He seems to sum up the occasion. If I can remember correctly, I think it goes something like this: "I wage not any feud with Death/ For changes wrought on form and face/ No lower life that earth's embrace/ May breed with him can fright my faith..."
The Deacon tries to remember more, pausing appropriately as Marvin, thinking he's done, raises the shotgun high at his face, but the deacon continues in the face of fear.
dEACON (CONT'D)
"Eternal process moving on...From state to state the spirit walks..."
BOOM, a blast nearly takes off the deacon's head, causing him to fall back, onto the ground.
Marvin stands there with the smoking gun, looking down at the man. He kneels down, takes a quick look, rises to his feet.
He looks around the room, listens in the hallway, and then sees a large golden crucifix necklace on the dresser, and it's some serious ice. Marvin grabs it, puts it over his head, lets it dangle on his chest, as he listens quietly for any noise coming.
He doesn't hear anything, so he grabs his phone, dials a number, waits for a response.
mARVIN
I'm just finishing up. I'll be there soon.
He snaps the phone shut, still listens for noise, smiles weakly to himself, looking down at the dead old man.
iNT. tommy's hotel room - night
In Tommy's suite, his men stand around, as Tommy sits with a cigar, watching Marvin look at his money.
Marvin only takes one look, shuts the suitcase, looks over at Tommy who beams at him, shaking his head.
tOMMY
You can never anticipate these things. Nobody thought it was gonna go down like that. You're lucky you were late. How did you find him anyway? We didn't have that alternate location. Nobody did. So how did you do it?
Marvin smiles, looks over at some of Tommy's men then back at Tommy.
mARVIN
You wouldn't believe me.
tOMMY
I might.
MARVIN
Instinct.
tOMMY
Instinct?
mARVIN
Just instinct. It's sad, actually. I didn't even think of it. I just knew.
tOMMY
I'm not gonna question that. That's your thing. It's in your blood. It's a mysterious feeling, instinct. How did he die?
MARVIN
Like a man. Like a sad, tired old man. 
tOMMY
Unbelievable. How things work out.
You know something, you're a real crazy character, Marvin. You got some balls on you, too. I don't know about God's intentions, but either you gotta be one lucky son of a bitch, or somebody up there likes you.
mARVIN
Maybe. I don't know.
TOMMY
You don't want to know what this guy was all about?
mARVIN
I'm curious, but I don't want to know.
tOMMY
What happened to the girl? Do I want to know?
Marvin's face changes, he looks down.
mARVIN
You don't have to worry about her. She's out of the picture.
tOMMY
You had me going for a while. I was steamed. But I guess you knew what you were doing after all.
mARVIN
Yeah, well...what can I say?
tOMMY
Where you headed now?
mARVIN
Back to Chicago.
tOMMY
To pack the rest of your stuff?
mARVIN
Nah, I'm not packing. Not going anywhere for a while. 
Tommy looks at him with a smile, seeing if Marvin's joking, but Marvin's face never changes.
tOMMY
Marvin, you know I can't protect you. From here on out, you're on your own.
mARVIN
I'm used to it.
tOMMY
Well, it's dangerous territory. If you want to take your chances, it's up to you. But even being here right now is risky for all of us. Especially you.
mARVIN
To be honest with you, Tommy, I'm not that worried about it. 
tOMMY
What about your niece?
mARVIN
I'll protect her till the day I die. 
tOMMY
I wish you the best of luck. I gotta admit, you had my balls sweating something fierce, my patience reaching the brink, but just like Jordan, you come through. I'm proud of you, Marvin. I think you're a special man. Even if you don't. Now get your ass up and give me a hug.
Marvin stands, goes over to Tommy, they hug like proud men, and Marvin smiles at him.
tOMMY (CONT'D)
Don't be such a fucking stranger. My cousin Sarah's having a barbecue next Saturday for her husband, coming back from Iraq. That's some mean food there, Marvin. You should stop by. I'll introduce you to a couple hard-hitting Italian girls. Get you roped in, settled down.
mARVIN
Yeah, maybe I'll drop in. I better go.
tOMMY
All right, take care. Drive safe. Keep in touch. Get your car fixed, too.
Marvin nods his head, opens the door, and with the suitcase in his hand, he walks out of the room, down the long hallway and into the 
elevator
where he pushes a button, waits for the long descend, stops at a particular floor, and an elderly couple get in. Marvin smiles, courteous and friendly, making room. 
The elevator continues to descend and comes to a stop and the doors open. Marvin walks out into the 
lobby
and with a casual flair, he strolls out of the hotel.
iNT. MARVIN'S CAR - nigHT
Marvin opens his trunk, puts his suitcase in, gets into his car, tries to start it, same old shit, pops the trunk, does his thing, gets back in and the son of a bitch is up and running.
Marvin pulls onto the road, driving through the bright, beautiful streets, the heart of the city, onto the freeway where his Chevelle tears up the night.

fade out: